How does one recognize physical abuse?
Unexplained, chronic, or repeated bruising. Be especially alert to bruises: • On the face, throat, upper arms, buttocks, thighs, or lower back in unusual patterns or shapes which suggest the use of an instrument (loop, lash, linear, circular or rectangular marks) • On an infant • In the shape of bite or pinch marks • In clusters • In various stages of healing • Unexplained burns. Be especially alert to: • Cigarette burns. This type of burn is circular, and often found on the child’s palms, soles of feet, genitalia, or abdomen. • Immersion burns. These burns characteristically will produce sharp lines of demarcation and appear on the buttocks, genital area, or extremities. On the hands and feet, burns can produce a “glove” or “stocking” effect; on the buttocks, immersion burns often will be “doughnut shaped.” • Rope burns in the shape of common household utensils or appliances. • Unexplained skeletal injuries. Skeletal injuries resulting from physical abuse often include: • injury to th
