Protecting vulnerable adults and children from sexual abuse

CASE STUDY: the Sexual Offences Act 2003 seeks to strengthen and modernize the law in relation to sexual crimes. The Act's focus is on extending protection from sexual exploitation for children and vulnerable adults by clarifying the key terms 'consent' and 'sexual' and introducing new offences specifically designed to protect the vulnerable. Child and vulnerable adult protection is an integral part of a district nurse's role so it is essential that you are aware of the key provisions of the 2003 Act in order that you may recognize and report unlawful sexual activity.     

Protecting children in the Accident and emergency department

Approximately one-third of patients attending Accident and Emergency departments are children and their differing needs are currently on the health care agenda. Nurses working in A & E will treat and care for children for whom a possibility of abuse or neglect may be raised. This article explores the concept of child protection and discusses the role of the nurse in relation to UK Government guidelines and legislation. These, in turn, inform local procedures and guidelines for practice. While the work of A & E departments is often crucial, most child protection work should take place in community child health settings.     

Protecting children from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at greater risk of a number of childhood ailments, especially in the pre-school years. Parents have little knowledge of the health risks of passive smoking, and strategies adopted by them to reduce ETS are often ineffective. Research has found that motivational counselling is effective in helping parents make changes (Emman et al, 2001; Greenberg et al, 1994). The aim of this project was to reduce the number of children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in the home. The project was led by a member of the Hambleton and Richmondshire Smoke-Free Alliance.     

Protecting children from all forms of abuse and neglect

Nurses have a key role in safeguarding children from abuse and neglect. This article outlines nurses' responsibilities in child protection and general protocols for talking to children and reporting concerns about their welfare.     

Protecting children: the role of the law 2. Legal powers to safeguard children

Last month's article on child protection considered the principles and key concepts that underpinned the approach to safeguarding children under the provisions of the Children Act 1989. This month Richard Griffith and Cassam Tengnah discuss the legal powers available under the Act that enable the proper authorities to intervene to protect children from significant harm.     

Protecting children: intuition and awareness in the work of health visitors

Protecting children: intuition and awareness in the work of health visitors This paper is based upon an ethnographic study of a group of health visitors engaged in child protection work. The purpose of this paper is to explore the meanings individual health visitors attach to events concerned with identifying children who may be at risk of harm from child abuse, and also the idiosyncratic nature of health visiting in this complex but everyday social situation. The paper focuses on understanding the importance of a particular form of knowledge which the health visitors referred to as 'intuitive awareness'.     

Protecting children: the role of the law 1. Principles and key concepts

The twentieth anniversary of the Cleveland Child Abuse scandal provides a timely reminder that children continue to be abused and this generally occurs in the community perpetrated by family members or close acquaintances. District nurses have a significant role in the prevention and identification of child abuse as they visit families in their homes. Fundamental to this crucial role is a working knowledge of the provisions and concepts of the Children Act 1989 that sets out the legal framework for protecting children.