Physical abuse

News

RCPCH responds to recent headlines on smacking

25 April 2022

The Children's Commissioner for England has said she supports a ban on smacking children in England. Wales recently became the second nation in the UK to ban smacking with the move enshrined in law in March. Scotland implemented a ban in November 2020.

News

New guidance on perplexing presentations and fabricated or induced illness in children

2 March 2021

The RCPCH has today launched new guidance for paediatricians on Perplexing Presentations (PP), Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in Children. This updates the College’s 2009 guidance and aims to support paediatricians when involved with these sometimes very difficult cases.

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Imaging in cases of suspected physical abuse in children - online learning

When managing children who have experienced suspected physical abuse, producing high quality images is crucial in enabling effective investigation of these complex cases.

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Safeguarding children and young people - roles and competencies

To protect children and young people from harm, and help improve their wellbeing, all healthcare staff must have the competencies to recognise child maltreatment, opportunities to improve childhood wellbeing and to take effective action as appropriate to their role.

Looked after children

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Equal Protection from Assault (Scotland) - consultation response

In January 2019 we responded to the Scottish Parliament Equalities and Human Rights Committee consultation on the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill. We support the proposal to abolish the defence of reasonable chastisement.

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Domestic abuse – consultation response

In 2018 we responded to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on transforming the response to domestic abuse. We support Government proposals to introduce a new statutory definition of domestic abuse, increase young people’s awareness and understanding of healthy relationships and focus on the prev...

News

Welsh Government move closer to physical punishment ban

25 March 2019

Wales has taken the next step towards protecting children’s’ rights by introducing legislation to end the physical punishment of children. RCPCH responds.

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Guidance on medical photography of possible physical abuse in children

This guidance, refreshed in June 2019, outlines best practice management of requests from statutory agencies (police / social services) for medical opinion on photographic images of possible physical abuse in children. The guidance is intended to create an agreed practice framework to manage request...

Safeguarding

Child protection

Physical abuse

News