Dentists Could Help Detect Child Abuse
The Police and Crime Commissioner in Northamptonshire has said that dentists, vets and RSPCA officers could help in the detection of child abuse in the area.
Adam Simmonds has made the statement after praising taskforces in Glasgow, who ask ‘trusted professionals’ to highlight and report any concerns they have about customers or patients.
Some of the scenarios suggested by Simmongs, in which a health care professional could pick up on domestic violence included:
- The broken leg of a pet highlighting the violence of an abusive partner, a warning sign to be picked up by vetenary professionals.
- A dentist suspecting the real reason behind a broken back tooth after a patient claims they broke it in a bike accident, which the dentist feels is hiding the real reason.
Simmonds hopes that bringing in a similar scheme to the Glasgow taskforce may help tackle violence in the home and allow those who feel unable to speak out find a voice. A discreet conversation between a patient or customer and their dentist or vet could help set about the first wave of help and assistance.
Simmonds suggested a further idea, in which RSCPA officers held powers like those of special constables, which would allow them to take action when instants of child abuse are found during home visits.
The violence reduction unit in Glasgow were the first to arrive at the idea, but Mr Simmonds hopes the scheme could be rolled out in Northamptonshire to further the care and help available for victims of domestic violence. Many sufferers remain silence, or in the case of many children do not have a voice of their own. By placing watchful caring eyes in personal professions Mr Simmonds hopes to see the levels of domestic violence decrease.
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