Physical abuse is the intentional infliction of injury on a child, which may include:
- Beating
- Harmful restraint
- The use or threatened use of a weapon or of an object that could be used as a weapon
- Inappropriate acts of discipline
- Other actions that might result in physical injury
These injuries may include:
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Burns
- Fractures
- Head injuries
As with all forms of child abuse, physical abuse can include serious psychological damage that may persist long after the child’s physical injuries have healed.
Physical abuse is typically identified through an adult’s observation of the abuse, a child’s disclosure of it, or a careful examination of the child’s injuries. A trained examiner can generally distinguish between accidental injuries and those that have been intentionally inflicted.
Recognizing physical abuse that you didn’t witness can be difficult. Often, physical abuse can look very similar to accidental injuries. If you suspect physical abuse, you should report it to DSS and law enforcement. For more information on reporting abuse, visit our Recognize, Respond, Report page.
