Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the physical ill-treatment of an adult, which may or may not cause physical injury includes assault, hitting, Scratching or pinching, punching, slapping, Shaking, Kicking, Restraint, Inappropriate, physical sanctions, Improper administration of medications or treatments or denial of prescribed medications/treatments. Physical abuse can also occur when people are not provided with adequate care and support, causing them unjustifiable physical discomfort.

Sanctions such as forced isolation; or withholding of food, drink or necessary aids to mobility or independence such as walking aids, hearing aids, spectacles or dentures. 

Signs that physical abuse may be taking place can include: 

• Injuries in unusual places, e.g. cheeks, ears, neck, inside of mouth or buttocks; 
• injuries that are the shape of objects, e.g. a hand, teeth marks, a cigarette burn or rope burn;
• injuries to head or scalp, e.g. black eyes 
• the presence of several injuries, bruises or scars of a variety of ages (look for fading) 
• burns or scalds with clear outlines or that have a uniform depth over a large area like the buttocks for instance; unexplained fractures, dislocations or sprains; in-juries that have not received medical attention; marks of physical restraint 
• skin infections; dehydration or unexplained weight changes; medication being ‘lost’ or misplaced; evidence of over or under use of medication; sleep deficit or unexplained fatigue; a change in the adult’s usual behaviour patterns or physical functioning 
• behaviour that indicates that the adult is afraid of the perpetrator or is avoiding the perpetrator, or is afraid in the presence of certain objects 
• the person flinches at physical contact or asks not to be hurt 
• the person seems reluctant to undress or uncover parts of the body
• a person being taken to many different places to receive medical attention

For additional information on types and indicators of abuse, see SCIE: types and indicators of physical abuse [external link].