ABUSE Child, Domestic Violence, and Elder Mistreatment Updated 10/06 All Clinical Staff

ABUSEChild, Domestic Violence, and Elder Mistreatment

Updated 10/06All Clinical Staff

10/06 All Clinical Staff

Objectives:At the completion of this SLP, the learner will be

able to:

Recognize the national and Maryland statistics on Child, Elder, and Spousal abuse.

Define what constitutes child, elder, and spousal abuse.

Identify signs and symptoms indicating potential abuse.

List staff responsibilities in managing suspected cases of abuse, with reference to hospital policy and procedure.

Identify community resources that could be of assistance to potential abuse victims.

Identify State requirements for reporting abuse.

Child Abuse and neglect


Incidence of Child Abuse

There are an estimated 3 million cases of

suspected child abuse or neglect each year. 2,000 or more children die yearly as a result of

abuse or neglect. Only 50-60% of the children identified as

harmed by abuse or neglect in 2004 were investigated by Child Protective Services.

Child abuse occurs in all ethnic groups and transcends all socioeconomic levels and religious affiliations.


Contributing Factors of Child Abuse and Neglect

Family Factors:

marital conflict extended family

contact domestic violence financial stress crisis in the

abuser’s life

Environmental Factors:

cultural attitudes economic

pressures isolation from the

community


Contributing Factors of Child Abuse and Neglect

Parent Factors: Parents abused as

children low self esteem child rearing skills unrealistic

expectations immaturity and

dependency lack of trust and

empathy substance abuse

Child Factors Age Behavior level of isolation


CHILD ABUSE: Physical Indicators

multiple injuries in various stages of healing unexplained injuries, especially located in

parts of the body not usually affected by normal childhood activity (eyes, mouth, neck, cheeks, lower back, genital area, buttocks, abdomen)

repeated injuries, especially those where the shape of an object has left a visible mark (electrical cord, belt buckle, circular burns-such as a cigarette burn)

Domestic Violence


What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is control by one partner over another in a dating, marital or live-in relationship. The means of control include: physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse, threats and isolation.


Who Is Affected by Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence occurs in every culture, country and age group. It affects people from all socioeconomic, educational and religious backgrounds and takes place in same sex as well as heterosexual relationships


Early Signs of Abuse

Quick whirlwind romance Jealousy at any perceived attention to

or from others Hypersensitivity to perceived slights Pressures you into doing things you

aren’t comfortable with “If you really love me, you’ll do this for me”


How common is domestic abuse?

According to a National Violence Against Women Survey, 22% of women are physically assaulted by a partner or date during their lifetime.

Nearly 25% of women have been raped and/or physically assaulted by an intimate partner during their lives.


What can you do if you are being abused?

Talk with someone you trust: a friend or relative, a neighbor, coworker or religious or spiritual advisor.

Tell your physician, nurse, psychiatrist or therapist about the abuse.

• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline [1-800-799-SAFE (7233)], your state domestic


Recommended Questions for healthcare workers

Are you in a relationship in which you have been physically hurt or threatened?

Has your partner ever destroyed things you care about?

Do you have guns in the house?


Management of Domestic Violence

Follow hospital policy #242 Provide information about local

organizations for assistance Believe her Tell her she is not alone Do not pass judgment National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE

Elder Mistreatment and Abuse


Types of Elder Mistreatment

Physical Abuse – acts of violence Physical Abuse – acts of violence that may result in pain, injury, that may result in pain, injury, impairment, or diseaseimpairment, or disease

Physical Neglect – failure of the Physical Neglect – failure of the caregiver to provide the goods or caregiver to provide the goods or services that are necessary for services that are necessary for optimal functioning or to avoid optimal functioning or to avoid harmharm



Psychological (Emotional) Abuse – Psychological (Emotional) Abuse – Willful infliction of mental anguish Willful infliction of mental anguish or the provocation of fear of or the provocation of fear of violence; diminishes the identity, violence; diminishes the identity, dignity, and self-worth of the persondignity, and self-worth of the person

Psychological Neglect – Failure to Psychological Neglect – Failure to provide a dependent older adult provide a dependent older adult with social stimulationwith social stimulation



Financial / Material Abuse – Misuse of Financial / Material Abuse – Misuse of the older person’s income or the older person’s income or resources for the financial or personal resources for the financial or personal gain of a caretaker or advisorgain of a caretaker or advisor

Financial / Material neglect – Failure Financial / Material neglect – Failure to use available funds and resources to use available funds and resources necessary to sustain or restore the necessary to sustain or restore the health and well-being of the older health and well-being of the older adultadult



Violation of Personal Rights – Violation of Personal Rights – Ignoring the older person’s rights Ignoring the older person’s rights and capability to make decisions and capability to make decisions for himself / herselffor himself / herself

Self-abuse or Self-neglect - It Self-abuse or Self-neglect - It characterized as the behaviors of characterized as the behaviors of an elderly person that threaten an elderly person that threaten his/her own health or safety. his/her own health or safety.


Indicators of Elder Mistreatment

Physical Unexplained injuries

Inconsistent explanations

Welts, lacerations, fractures, burns, rope marks

Psychological Excessive weight gain or loss

Insomnia or excessive sleeping

Signs of infantile behavior

Expressions of ambivalent feelings toward caregivers or family members


Interventions

Coordinate with Social Worker on your Coordinate with Social Worker on your unitunit

If patient is willing to accept voluntary If patient is willing to accept voluntary services: services: Educate the patient Educate the patient Implement a safety plan Implement a safety plan Provide assistance that will alleviate causes Provide assistance that will alleviate causes

of mistreatment of mistreatment Refer patient to appropriate services: social Refer patient to appropriate services: social

work, counseling, legal assistance, and work, counseling, legal assistance, and advocacyadvocacy


State Requirements

Maryland Law requires that each health practitioner must report suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult

A “vulnerable adult” is a person 18 or older who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for his or her daily needs.

When reporting, you are protected from liability when acting in good faith

Please Take Post Test

Documents

ABUSE Child, Domestic Violence, and Elder Mistreatment Updated 10/06 All Clinical Staff