In France, 1.5 million children are victims of abuse and 2 of them die every day. However, 90% of these young victims are not spotted.
“Health professionals, because they are in regular contact with children from an early age, are on the front line to detect a case of abuse and report it to the competent authorities” reminds the HAS. To protect victims and help health professionals identify and report battered children, the High Authority for Health has therefore just issued new recommendations.
Spot the abuse
Burns, broken bones, characteristic bruises (bruises on a child who does not walk or on the inside of the arms and thighs) can be the tell-tale signs of child abuse, but there are also less visible ones that are just as revealing. Indeed, a child who changes his behavior, parents who modify their attitudes must alert health professionals. “And, as abuse affects all social categories. The possibility of ill-treatment must therefore always be present in the mind of the doctor who must think about it in consultation” recalls the HAS.
Report Victims
“Like any citizen, the doctor has an obligation to provide assistance to a person in danger. This imperative of protection is made possible by the lifting of medical secrecy, which shields him from any criminal prosecution for violation of medical secrecy,” recalls the HAS. On the other hand, a health professional who should have reported a case of abuse, but did not do so, is exposed to very heavy penalties. If he suspects a case of mistreatment, he must report it without trying to provide proof.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency or a significant risk of danger, the doctor must alert the public prosecutor, via the High Court (TGI). In case of suspicion, the doctor must alert other professionals, health or child protection.
If you have any doubts about the situation of a child in danger (or at risk of being so), notify the authorities or call the “Allô CHILDREN IN DANGER” emergency number at 119 (24/7, free call) .
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Autism: 44% of patients have already been abused
