Lacerations (cuts), abrasions and scars when child maltreatment should be suspected
- suspect child maltreatment if a child has lacerations, abrasions or scars and the explanation is unsuitable.
- examples where child maltreatment should be suspected include lacerations, abrasions or scars:
- on a child who is not independently mobile
- that are multiple
- with a symmetrical distribution
- on areas usually protected by clothing (for example, back, chest, abdomen, axilla, genital area)
- on the eyes, ears and sides of face
- on the neck, ankles and wrists that look like ligature marks
- examples where child maltreatment should be suspected include lacerations, abrasions or scars:
Notes:
- for the purposes of this guideline, to suspect child maltreatment means a serious level of concern about the possibility of child maltreatment but is not proof of it
Reference:
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