Physical Abuse

The most visible form of abuse by far is physical abuse. The most common forms of this abuse include hitting, slapping, kicking, throwing things, scalding and even suffocation. Much of this abuse goes unnoticed or unreported.

Signs of physical abuse might include:

• Unexplained or inappropriately explained injuries including:
  • Cuts or scratches to mouth, lips, gums, eyes or external genitalia
  • Bruising to the face, torso, arms, back, buttocks, thighs, in various stages of healing
  • Collections of bruises that form regular patterns which correspond to the shape of an object, or which appear on several areas of the body
  • Burns on unlikely areas of the body, e.g. soles of the feet, palms of the hands, back, immersion burns from scalding in hot water/liquid, rope burns, burns from an electrical appliance
  • Fractures at various stages of healing to any part of the body
• Exhibiting untypical self-harm
• Medical problems that go unattended
• Evidence of over/under-medication
• Flinching at physical contact
• Appearing frightened or subdued in the presence of particular people
• Asking not to be hurt or repeating what the person causing harm has said such as “Shut up or I’ll hit you”
• Reluctance to undress or uncover parts of the body or wearing clothes that cover all parts of their body or specific parts of their body

Violence and physical abuse can cause long-term physical and mental health problems. It affects not just the victim involved but can also affect any children, the family, and even the wider community through such things as inability to work, additional use of the NHS and homelessness.