Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

• Failure to thrive.
• Inadequate clothing.
• Uncleanliness.
• Failure to engage with medical services.
Emotional Abuse
• Behaviour indicative of lack of love, care and stimulation.
• Compulsive eating.
• Neurotic behaviour, rocking/head banging.
• Inability to play.
• Significant decline in concentration span.
• Self harm.
• Extremes of either passivity or aggression.
• Social/emotional immaturity.
• Low self esteem
Sexual Abuse
Traditionally there has been great suspicion of children who allege that they have
been sexually abused and a tendency to describe such claims as fantasy.
Experiences suggests that children rarely fabricate such statements. The child should
always be listened to and what they say should be treated very seriously and
investigated.
The majority of sexually abused children have no physical symptoms but usually
exhibit behavioural or emotional symptoms. These symptoms are not specific to
sexually abused children and, therefore, present problems of diagnosis. Sexual
abuse presents in numerous ways, but should be considered when there is evidence
or vaginal or anal injuries, oversexualised behaviour, some recurrent abdominal pains
and excessive masturbation.
The important point to remember is, that if a child is showing signs of emotional or
behaviour stress, then the possibility of sexual abuse must be considered, particularly
when there are sudden changes in mood or behaviour with no apparent explanation.
Physical/Medical Indicators of the Possibility of Sexual Abuse
• Sleeplessness, nightmares, fear of the dark.
• Bruises, scratches, bite marks to the thighs or genital areas.
• Itch, soreness, a discharge, unexplained bleeding from the rectum, vagina or
penis.
• Pain on passing urine or recurrent urinary infection.
• Stained underwear.
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