CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE
Bites
Notes:
- bites can be normal part of childhood
- consider whether they were caused by adult or child
- location, frequency and severity
Information:
Bites from other children are usually just part of normal childhood – but there are rarely occasions when an adult bite on a child is accidental.
If you notice an adult sized bite mark on a child then you should document and report.
We know from experience that unfortunately it’s still all too common for parents to think it’s appropriate to bite their child to ‘teach’ them not to bite others. This is not an appropriate way to manage behaviour in a child and is simply child abuse.