RCGP Safeguarding toolkit

Physical abuse

This includes:

• assault, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, biting, pushing
• rough handling
• scalding and burning
• physical punishments
• inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint
• making someone purposefully uncomfortable (e.g. opening a window and removing blankets)
• involuntary isolation or confinement
• misuse of medication (e.g. over-sedation or unauthorised covert medication)
• forcible feeding or withholding food
• unauthorised restraint, restricting movement (e.g. tying someone to a chair).

Signs and indicators include:

• no explanation for injuries or inconsistency with the account of what happened
• injuries which are 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
• subdued or changed behaviour in the presence of a particular person
• signs of malnutrition
• failure to seek medical treatment or frequent changes of GP.