NIAGARA COLLEGE

Child Abuse Suspected

SOCL 1327: Family Abuse and Family Violence
Rebekah Versluis

Publication Review: Child Abuse Suspected

Table of Contents
Introduction- Page 2
Summary- Page 2-4
Evaluation- Page 4
Conclusion- Page 5
References- Page 6

Publication Review: Child Abuse Suspected

Child Abuse Suspected

Introduction
The article Evaluation of suspected child physical abuse was written by
Nancy D. Kellogg, and published in the American Academy of Pediatrics. Nancy D.
Kellogg has many different educational professions in her background, the most
recent being a program director for child abuse, and a distinguished teaching
professor in the university of Texas health science centre. This article goes over the
three main points of the cause of abuse, the effects of abuse, and the steps taken to
ensure abuse does not happen again. The main point that was focussed on in this
article was the different kinds of abuse and what they can do to the development of
the child. This information creates a better insight into the life of a child dealing
with abuse. This article helps us to be able to recognize these signs and symptoms,
as well as how much damage they can cause.

Summary
There are many different ways to be able to notice and suspect the
victims of abuse. There are many different forms of abuse, but mainly
focussing on physical abuse. The most common form of physical abuse is
hitting, pushing, shoving, and even throwing things at the child. Abuse
normally happens under the pretenses of a misinterpretation, causing
inappropriate behaviour from the adult. There are also many other
inexcusable reasons as to why a child is abused and taken advantage of,
such as poverty or stress. Many injuries that are factors of abuse are likely to
be undetected or reported at all. Abuse can go unnoticed for their entire
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Publication Review: Child Abuse Suspected

lives. Physicians are allowed to be reported for abuse if 1 or more of the

following occurs: a suspicious injury, a witness to an abusive event, or the
child discloses the information of the abuse taking place. Some concerning
responses to these injuries may include: there is no response at all or a brief
explanation, injury does not match time and place of story, and injury is
inconsistent with the story about the markings. Once the physician is
concerned, they may document, and take pictures for further documentation,
and explanation of injury. They may contact the police or family and
childrens services regarding further steps of action.
There are many different kinds of physical abuse. Skin injuries consist
of bruises, lacerations, burns, bites or skin injections. Approximately 60% of
abused children have marks on their necks, heads or faces. A serious
examination should be done after these occur. Another skin injury that is
common is a bite mark, which needs to be documented and sent in for
forensic investigation based on whether or not it is a human bite. Another
abusive injury is a cranial injury. This consists of any kind of head trauma
that is caused by a severe accident or incident and can cause severe
damage such as cutaneous, skeletal or visceral. These types of injuries could
cause future damage to the brain and development. This could also result in
a high mortality rate, due to the fact that the injuries may not be looked
after. Another main type of injury from abuse is thoracoabdominal. This
involves the heart, and is rare but severe. Thoracoabdominal is caused by
pressure on the chest and ribs, causing fractures or breaks in the ribs,
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Publication Review: Child Abuse Suspected

possibly puncturing a lung. Another form of abuse is a skeletal injury. This

injury may include fractures, bruises, and breaks in any part of skeletal body.
All of these injuries should be documented and reported. Testing and
treatment will begin right away after the abuse is noticed. After being
evaluated, an investigation comes out of it, and further actions may be
taken. These actions consist of court, where the pediatrician and the doctor
are required to testify, based on their knowledge. Child abuse is common in
our society, and physicians are trained to be able to see, recognize, and
report these incidents.

How can this be useful as an ECE?

This information and article can be useful to an early childhood educator
because it can help us to spot the signs and what to look for in children. This article
helps us to see what can happen to a child, and what the effects can be in the
future. Knowing and reading this information, we are now clear and able to process
this in a more effective and professional manor. We can also now be aware of any
other issues that can be holding this child back or creating behavioural or
development issues. This article helps to open our eyes to further damage and pain
in this little child. This information provides us with a better insight into the world of
abuse and the future of the children. As early childhood educators, we are there for
protect and maintain the well-being of the children in our care. By detecting these
signs, it comes hand-in-hand with being able to see the differences in behaviour,
and development also. Searching for help and a way out for a child is what our job
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Publication Review: Child Abuse Suspected

is. As an Early Childhood Educator, we need to work to keep our classroom as a safe
place, comforting, and a trusting place. Being able to see the signs, and approach
them with the right ways, gives us the ability to possibly save a childs life. This
gives us the knowledge and resources to help a child in need.

Article Usefulness
I would give this article a 4, it was very helpful in the symptoms and signs of
the abuse, but did not provide much useful information as to how we are supposed
to act and evaluate the child without causing more damage, and keeping
precautions. This article was highly knowledgeable in the information section of the
abuse and the effects of it. It did provide us with many facts and tips as to what is
going on and how to look for it. This article provided us with many different ways
that abuse is conducted, and what the effects can lead to. I would not fully give it a
5 because I think it was a little scattered, and focussed mainly on what is
happening, and didnt give very much information on what is to take place once the
abuse is noticed. Although that was mentioned, it does not go into detail and that
would have been very helpful. I believe that this article was very helpful in the ways
of giving us more information and insight into the pain and hurt caused to this child
by just a squeeze or a hit. Many of these injuries can quickly accelerate to bigger
issues if not taken care of.

Conclusion
Although we know that we cannot prevent abuse, this article gives the
opportunity to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms, and possibly save that
child from their abuser. This article helps to ease our thinking when it comes to the
steps taken in helping a child escape their abuser. We are also made more aware of
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the effects, and what can happen if it is not treated and taken care of. This article
provides us with the information we need to ensure the safety of the children in our
program.

References
Kellogg, N. (2014, September 24). Facilty Profile. Retrieved September 24, 2014,
from http://profiles.uthscsa.edu/?pid=profile&id=0V71EU5GE
Kellogg, N. (2014). Evaluation of Suspected Child Abuse. 14-14. Retrieved
September 24, 2014, from http://hc8bm3ra4g.search.serialssolutions.com/?
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