CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE
Inconsistent explanations are a very reliable and strong indicator of physical abuse.
- Injury on Intake Record becomes important.
- Some simple questions can expose a child lying to cover up for an abusive parent. Ask them:
- where were Mummy or Daddy (or Guardians) when it happened?
- what happened when they told Mummy or Daddy about falling over?
- what Daddy or Mummy said about it?
- where were they when they told Mummy or Daddy?
- where were their siblings when it happened, or whether they helped out when it happened?
If you're met with a whole lot of "I don't know" answers or inconsistencies - then you should document and report.
One of the most reliable indicators of physical abuse is an inconsistent explanation. This is where your Injury on Intake Record plays a vital role along with your communication skills. Ask children about their injuries. Ask them what happened? If they tell you something different to what was put in the Injury on Intake Record by their Parents or Guardian, then you should be suspicious of that, and document and report.
If the child tells you the same story that was told by their Parents or Guardians, but it sounds rehearsed and you’re still suspicious, then ask a few more simple questions that are usually hard to rehearse.
Abusive Parents often spend a lot of time getting children to memorise rehearsed details to explain away injuries caused by abuse – but rarely do these rehearsed explanations extend to include the finer details.
Ask them the questions in the notes section.
