Physical abuse is defined as direct abuse to the body. It includes assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriately preventing someone from taking an action.
Warning signs may include:
- injuries inconsistent with the person’s lifestyle
- bruising, cuts, welts, burns and/or marks on the body or loss of hair in clumps
- frequent injuries
- unexplained falls
- changes in behaviour in the presence of a particular person
- signs of malnutrition
- inconsistent accounts for injuries, or lack of knowledge where injuries came from
- failure to seek medical treatment or frequent changes of GP