“Dr. Payne’s Electroshock Apparatus” (2022) by Tania Love Abramson and Paul R. Abramson, Image courtesy of AMA Journal of Ethics https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/
Physical abuse is the form of child abuse most frequently reported by the media and most familiar to the public. It is, also, the form most frequently fatal.
Children can and do sustain bumps and bruises, in the course of ordinary play. Physical abuse, however, is deliberate harm by a parent or caregiver.
An abuser may characterize physical abuse as punishment for a perceived infraction. But such punishment is out of all proportion to the infraction, and severe beyond a child’s capacity to understand or endure it.
The warning signs of physical abuse include the following [1][2]:
- A child who has unexplained burns, bruises, bite marks, or broken bones.
- A child who has fading bruises after an absence from school, particularly patterned injuries (in the shape of a belt buckle or stove burner, for example) or injuries in normally protected areas of the body like the genitals, inner arms, back, or buttocks.
- A child who shrinks from adults, as if fearful of being struck.
- A child who seems reluctant to go home after school, and/or frightened of his/her parents.
- A child with mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression.
- A child who says his/her injury was caused by a parent or caregiver.
Children subjected to physical abuse like “Shaken Baby” Syndrome during the early years of life can experience brain damage, loss of hearing, injury to the spinal cord, and death.
The parent responsible for inflicting injury on a child – or attempting to “cover” for an offending partner – may offer inconsistent (or unconvincing) explanations for that child’s injuries.
Such a parent may describe his/her child as “evil” or in other highly negative terms. The parent may use (or recommend that a teacher use) harsh physical discipline on his/her child.
Other potential danger signals include a prior history of abuse by the parent with the same or another child, and/or physical abuse of that parent as a child.
—
[1] Prevent Child Abuse America, “Recognizing Child Abuse: What Parents Should Know”, https://preventchildabuse.org/resource/recognizing-child-abuse-what-parents-should-know/.
[2] First Cry – Parenting, “Neglect – Causes, Effects, and Prevention” by Romita P, 2/12/18, https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/child-neglect-causes-effects-and-prevention/.
Originally posted 1/19/20
This series will conclude next week with Part 4 – Sexual Abuse
30 Los Angeles detention officers have been charged with child abuse for staging at least 69 “gladiator fights” between minors at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in 2023. Some 143 children and teens were involved.
FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com
A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More 
Thank you, Anna, for this article. Sadly, physical abuse remains one of the most prevalent forms of mistreatment, with children showing signs of PTSD, anxiety, or depression almost daily. And, from what I’ve heard, nearly every week a potential perpetrator ends up under investigation.
On a few occasions, I had no choice but to resort to butt-whopping my children myself. Honestly, I think it was more distressing for me than for the kids. Thankfully, it hasn’t been necessary in a long time—clear explanations of consequences have proven sufficient. That said, there have been some close calls, narrowly averted at the last second by telling some well-timed, cautionary tales.
There is, in my opinion, a vast difference between physical abuse and disciplining children appropriately. Children do need limits. Loving parents, however, recognize a child’s physical and emotional vulnerability. They never brutalize a child.
I agree. I believe it’s quite simple—children must clearly understand the reason behind any form of discipline.
In fact, sometimes children need to be protected not just from external dangers but also from their own siblings. Three boys in one household can be an explosive mix at times—they seem to have an almost instinctive urge to wrestle and fight for no apparent reason. 🙂
Well said, Hubert. I greatly appreciate the input from such a good father.
Thank you Anna! 😊 Though being a father is an ongoing learning process. Sometimes it’s rather like an arms race between me and my kids’ cunning 😉
:)))
An insightful and helpful post, Anna. 🌸
Thank you, Ada. I realize this is a painful subject. ❤
😭
Yes, that such abuse exists is heartbreaking.
The longer I live the more convinced I am that some people should not be permitted to have children. I have seen too much to convince me otherwise.
I can well understand your feelings, Ron. Procreation is, of course, a fundamental right and constitutionally protected. The Nazi sterilization program intended to “purify” the race illustrates how easily an attempt to regulate procreation could be misused for racist or political ends. China’s failed “one child policy” is another illustration.
On one hand, I agree. But life is often more complicated than that. Take Frederick II of Prussia, for example—he endured severe brutality from his father during childhood, yet he grew into one of the most remarkable monarchs Europe has ever seen.
That said, it’s undoubtedly better for children in such situations to be placed with responsible foster parents. In my oponion, biological ties are meaningless when the well-being and development of a child are at stake.
You make two important points, Hubert.
Whatever form abuse takes, victims (at least those who survive) may triumph over their experiences in later years. You, yourself, are a fine example.
In past, unfortunately, the courts leaned heavily in favor of preserving biological families. This at times placed abused children at continued risk. The safety of a child must take precedence.
🙂
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We had a few of those too, in my school. Sometimes I felt like grabbing dads by the beard and flushing them down the toilet. It’s the “spare the rod – spoil the child” philosophy that generates unproportionable punishment.
I think physical abuse stems from self-hatred, Dolly. Like domestic abuse, it’s a way to punish an innocent party for all the “injustices” the world has supposedly inflicted on the abuser. There is rage at the heart of it, and a desire for absolute control.
Yes and no. While certainly true for some of the abusers, there are also those who do it with the best intentions, the same way their parents did it to them, “and look how I turned out!” Also, some do it for sheer sadistic fun, and some are mentally and/or emotionally disbalanced. My big issue is with those who preach the Bible as guidance for abuse.
You’re right, Dolly. Evil comes in many forms.
I wonder if pastors and Sunday school teachers are trained to recognize these signs, or seeing them and knowing their cause, many would rather turn a blind eye. This is especially sad because they are best placed to help, perhaps even more so than school teachers.
Sadly, I don’t think so, Dora.
In my opinion, to ensure that pastors receive proper training in recognizing the warning signs of child abuse, action must be taken within the framework of their governing organizations. This involves advocating for updates to internal regulations and training requirements, ensuring that safeguarding children becomes a fundamental aspect of pastoral education and responsibility.
You are absolutely right.