NVQ Level 4 Unit 12 Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse

Definition:

Physical abuse is deliberately hurting a person. Physical harm also includes the illegal use of restrictive practices, for example, forcefully locking a person inside a room for longer periods. 

Some examples include:

• Head injuries.
• Kicking and pushing.
• Restrained someone on a chair.
• Misusing sanctions and medication.

Signs of physical abuse:

• A person has unexplained injuries on his/her body, such as burning or scalding.
• He frequently visits the healthcare providers without a reason.
• Fear of people when approached.
• If a person avoids being touched.
• He suddenly withdraws upon physical contact.
• The individual wears oversized clothes to hide injuries on his body (e.g., long sleeves in hot weather).

Sexual Form of Abuse

Definition:

It is a criminal activity in which a person engages in illegal sexual contact with another individual. If you are one of them, then getting help is necessary. You can raise your voice anonymously at the NSPCC Crimestoppers helpline.

It can occur in the form of:

Contact abuse:

• Touching someone inappropriately.
• Forced to take part in illegal activities.
• Cause permanent harm to any part of the body that is not to be touched without permission.

Non-contact Abuse:

• Discussing activities that are beyond someone’s age.
• The person or child is forced to watch inappropriate visuals. 
• Exposing an individual to disturbing acts.

Sign or symptom to look:

• Bruising or bleeding from intimate body parts.
• Difficulty in walking and sitting.
• Fear of specific individuals or places (which can be the places of crime or similar to the area where the crime took place).
• Sudden changes in behaviour, such as expression of anxiety or aggression in different situations.
• Sexual behaviour or knowledge that might be in the form of child abuse.

Psychological/Emotional Abuse:

Definition:

It is the act of hurting someone’s self-esteem by using inappropriate language. In this situation type the person feels that his behavior is being controlled. It can happen in care settings, relationships, or even online.

How can it occur? 

• Verbal attacks like yelling or name-calling someone.
• Trying to control what a person does.
• Keeping someone away from loved ones.

Symptoms of Emotional Abuse:

• Not feeling good about themselves or suddenly losing confidence.
• Pulling away from friends or staying alone a lot.
• Being scared all the time.
• Trouble sleeping or eating.
• Saying sorry all the time or acting like everything’s their fault.

Financial Abuse

Definition:

It happens when someone controls an individual’s financial assets without their permission. In this situation, a person feels powerless or trapped.

It can happen via:

• Taking money without asking.
• Pressuring someone to change their will or sign documents.
• Stopping access to their own bank account or income.
• Misusing debit cards, credit cards, or pensions.
• Charging for care but not providing proper support.

The person might show you:

• There is an unexplained loss of money.
• Missing bank statements or legal documents.
• The financial situation of a person suddenly changes without reason.
• Bills aren’t being paid even though there’s enough money.
• Reluctance to discuss financial matters.

Institutional Abuse

Definition:

It happens when carers do not give attention, people in care homes, hospitals, or supported housing. It usually happens because of strict routines, not enough staff, and disrespectful behavior towards patients.

Examples:

• Ignoring personal choices or routines.
• Lack of privacy or dignity.
• Overuse of medication to control behaviour.
• Unsafe or unhygienic conditions.
• Staff speaking harshly or acting without empathy.

Common symptoms:

• Lack of participation decision decision-making.
• Poor care standards and living conditions.
• Rough handling or rude behaviour from care staff.
• Over-reliance on medication.
• Ignoring personal needs.

Self-Neglect

Definition:

When a person struggles or refuses to take care for their own basic needs and puts their health risk.

Some forms can include:

• Not eating properly or skipping meals.
• The individual is living in unsafe conditions.
• If a person is ignoring his personal hygiene and medical needs.
• Hoarding items that create health hazards.
• Avoiding help even when clearly needed.

Possible indicators include:

• Dirty clothes or not washing them often.
• Messy or unsafe home.
• Not getting medical help when needed.
• Not eating enough or not drinking water properly.
• Hoarding behavior
• Social isolation

Neglect by Others

If a person’s basic needs are not met by the people who are entitled. It is a form of adult abuse and can lead to serious health issues.

Examples:

• Not providing food, water, or medication.
• Leaving someone in dirty clothes or bedding.
• Ignoring calls for help.
• Failing to take someone to medical appointments.

Signs of neglect:

• There are no basic care facilities, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
• Medical needs are not being met
• Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
• Being left alone for long periods
• Lack of supervision in vulnerable individuals

Discriminatory Abuse

Definition:

It happens when someone is treated unfairly because of their identity. This can be due to their race, gender, age, religion and disability.

Examples:

• Ignoring a person’s cultural or religious needs in care.
• Using offensive or hurtful language.
• Not giving equal service to people from minority backgrounds.
• Treating someone differently because of a disability.

This can be shown through:

• Unfair treatment unfairly or differently due to race, gender, disability and religion.
• Use of derogatory language during normal conversation.
• Exclusion from activities or services
• Denial of access to personal rights
• Emotional distress linked to prejudice

Modern Slavery

Definition:

It happens when a person is threatened with work or lives in poor conditions with no freedom. The following activities can be included in this category:

1.  Forced labour.
2. human trafficking.
3. Worker exploitation on the operation site.

Signs of abuse:

• Looks unwell or anxious every time.
• He avoids eye contact and stays silent.
• The individual cannot leave work without permission.
• The worker gets no access to their ID and money. 

You can indicate that a person is in forced slavery via:

• Being moved often or living where they work.
• Signs of physical abuse or mistreatment.
• Acting fearful around their “employer”.
• Not having a safe and loving home.

Domestic Violence: 

Definition: 

Domestic violence is a form of adult abuse where someone uses control, threats, or physical harm in close relationships. It happens in families or between partners and can be physical, emotional, or financial.

You might observe signs like:

• Frequent unexplained injuries or looking unwell.
• Fear of going home or being around a partner.
• Withdrawn or low in confidence.
• Worries about keeping people safe around them.

The person suffering:

• Avoids talking about home if they’re scared.
• Always being checked on or followed.
• Talks about being controlled.
• Such individuals blame themselves for every incident happening around hem.
• They feel usafe in their home.

Signs of Physical Abuse

It is the act of causing physical harm to a person. The common signs include bruises, burns, fractures, and severe head injuries. As a result, has a negative effect on both the physical or mental health of the affected person. Abuse can happen to anyone. Both children and young people can fall into this type of situation. There are a few people who are more vulnerable to the effects of physical abuse. For example, people who have limited cognitive capacity or neurological impairments. Such individuals may not communicate that abuse is occurring. The caregivers, family members, and social care professionals should give more attention to such individuals. The physically abused may also experience unstable psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression, schizophrenia, or severe anxiety). Some perpetrators also exploit the vulnerabilities of such because they lack a strong support system. Other risk factors that make the physically abused susceptible include social isolation and dependency on others for personal care. Abuse may also stem from the behaviour or circumstances of the abuser. In the past, the criminal might have faced situations like unemployment, personal trauma, and abuse themselves that may have triggered abusive behaviours in them. In such cases organisations and families should remain alert, respond to warning signs promptly. If you feel that someone is being abused then report your concerns to the safeguarding organizations immediately so that prompt actions can be taken.

How to safeguard adults from abuse?

In the UK, there are laws to protect young people from any type of abuse they are facing. One such model is the Care Act of 2014. Local councils have a duty to stop abuse before it happens. They must act early and work to prevent harm in society. If someone feels unsafe, the council should guide them to seek legal advice, health services, or emotional help.

What Local Councils Must Do:

The local authority has a legal duty to act if they believe someone:

• Needs care or support, even if they don’t currently receive any.
• May be at risk of abuse or neglect.
• Can’t protect themselves because of their situation.

How They Must Help:

If someone is in danger or feels unwell due to adult abuse, the council must take action. This includes:

1. Looking into concerns through a safeguarding enquiry.
2. Deciding what action is needed to keep the person safe.
3. Working with other departments like the police, NHS and local charities.
4. Giving advocate support to adults who can’t speak for themselves.
5. Setting up a Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) to oversee local efforts.

Six Principles of Adult Safeguarding

Protecting vulnerable adults is a critical part of social care. In England, the Care Act 2014 defines safeguarding as providing protection to adults’ right to live in safety. The six principles is the groundwork for how care professionals should act when someone needs help. They promote safety and accountability of the protection services.

1. Empowerment

The first component is empowerment. It is used to describe the act of making a choice. It is the right of every adult to be involved in any matters regarding their life. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, every adult is assumed to have the capacity to make their own decisions unless it is proven that they are incapable. Empowerment means explaining to people their rights so that they can weigh their options. Professionals should never decide he best course of action for a person. Instead, they should encourage the individual to think about what is best for him.

2. Prevention

Prevention is the second component of safeguarding adults. It means to act before harm happens. This principle is rooted in intervention practices. It relies on spotting early warning signs and taking steps before risks escalate.For example, providing facilities like social support, carer education, and regular risk assessments. It is cheaper and less traumatic than responding to it later. For example, teaching financial awareness to older adults can protect them for exploitation at the hands of powerful individuals.

3. Proportionality

The third principle is about the response to risk balance. Which means every risk factor should receive a response according to the associated danger. In practice, this might mean exploring informal solutions before moving toward legal measures. Proportionality respects personal freedom, but reinstates that intervention is a necessary measure that has to be taken for preventing crime. It also protects the rights of those adults who have chosen taboo ways to live in a society.

4. Protection

It is the act of responding to threats when someone is being attacked. The personnel can take measures such as contacting emergency services, taking them to safe accommodation, and activating safeguarding measures. This component is useful for those adults who live under coercive control and are not able to ask for help. That’s why frontline workers must be trained to identify signs of harm to assist vulnerable individuals.

5. Partnership

Effective safeguarding depends on collaboration between all organizations. The Care Act requires local safeguarding adults boards (SABs) to coordinate with social care agencies whenever someone is in danger. This includes social services, the NHS, police, voluntary groups, and housing providers. It helps avoid delays and gaps in care services.

6. Accountability

Safeguarding must be done transparently. It should be open to scrutiny in the hands of the public. Professionals should maintain clear records and explain their decisions to the abused. Accountability ensures that intervention actions taken are ethical, legal, and well-documented. It is also a source for agencies to learn from mistakes and improve their services in the future.

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