Physical abuse in most cases is the result of harsh punishment or discipline inflicted on the child by an adult. Physical abuse is any action that results, or could result in non-accidental injury to a child. It is physical abuse when the actions are beyond what could be considered reasonable discipline. Physical abuse includes beating, punching, kicking, pushing and slapping. Unfortunately many children die from physical abuse every year. Children are unable to defend themselves from an adult’s physical assault and injury is common. Abusers can be male or female and are usually family members. Children witnessing domestic violence can also be profoundly affected by the event. Research has proved that children who were physically abused as children risk developing psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety as an adult.

Physical abuse does not have to mark you to be abuse as strangling is abuse and does not always leave a mark etc

• Frequent injuries, bruises, cuts, black eyes
• Frequent complaints of pain without obvious injury, especially when the child can not explain cause
• Beating, burning, or punching a child
• Fear of going home or seeing parent
• Burns or bruises in an unusual pattern may indicate the use of an instrument or human bite
• Chronic runaway
• Complaints of beating or other harsh treatment
• Injuries that appear after child is not seen for several days
• Lack of reaction to pain
• Evidence of poor self concept
• Cigarette burns on the face, arms, or palms
• Wears unseasonable clothes