Types of Abuse

1. Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is arguably the most obvious form of abuse, and the one most people think of regarding abuse. 

It is, however, often hidden and index for suspicion should be low when injuries can not be adequately explained, or the child is dependent (through age or disability). 

Physical abuse injuries may masquerade as innocent injuries, or may be in places that are covered by clothing. Certain types of injury have characteristic patterns. There are also some less well known forms of physical abuse to be aware of. 

Physical abuse includes:

• Hitting (either with hands or an object)
• Shaking
• Throwing
• Poisoning
• Scalding
• Biting
• Immersion in water

Signs of physical abuse:

• Bruises, particularly in non-prominent places such as behind the ears
• Burn marks
• Broken bones
• Bite marks
• Signs/effects due to poison/head injury/immersion in water
• Changes in the abused person such as becoming withdrawn
• Injuries in children that aren't independently mobile

Shaken Baby Syndrome:

• Broken bones
• Visual Disturbances
• Seizures
• Brain Damage
• Death

Fabricated or Induced Illness:

• FII is when a caregiver causes illness in a child or makes up symptoms so that the child receives unnecessary treatment
• Hard to spot

Female Genital Mutilation:

• Usually carried out under the age of 15
• Also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as Sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan
  
• Comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons
• Often done by people with no medical training but in some countries is carried out by medical professionals

References

NSPCC - Physical Abuse

WHO - Female Genital Mutilation

NHS - Female Genital Mutilation