Types of abuse
What it means
Abuse categories (children and adults overlap): PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL/psychological, SEXUAL, NEGLECT, and (for adults) FINANCIAL/material, organisational, discriminatory, domestic, modern slavery, and self-neglect. Recognition relies on inconsistent histories, implausible/changing accounts, delayed presentation, and characteristic injury patterns.
Worked example
A child with a torn frenulum and bruising of different ages, with a changing story, raises physical abuse and neglect across categories.
In the exam
A clinician categorises the harm a vulnerable person is experiencing across physical, emotional, sexual, neglect and (in adults) financial domains.
What settles it
Adults have additional categories (financial, organisational, discriminatory, modern slavery, self-neglect) under the Care Act not used for children.
Classically confused with
Non-accidental injury — red flags
Source: Care Act 2014; child safeguarding