Physical Abuse

Physical injury that results in substantial harm to a child or the genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury to the child, including an injury that is at variance with the history and explanation given.

This includes a negligible accident or unreasonable discipline by a parent, guardian or managing or possessory conservator that exposes the child to substantial risk of harm. It also includes the failure to make reasonable effort to prevent an action by another person that results in physical injury and substantial harm to a child.

Physical abuse is physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, slapping, strangulation or choking, pushing, shoving, whipping, paddling, hair pulling, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap or other object), burning (with cigarettes, scalding water or other hot object), or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caretaker intended to hurt the child or not.

Corporal (physical) punishment is distinguished from physical abuse in that the physical punishment is the use of physical force with the intent of inflicting bodily pain, but not injury, for the purpose of correction and/or control. Physical abuse is an injury that results from physical aggression. However, physical punishment easily gets out of control and can become physical abuse. Corporal punishment is against the law in schools in some states and not others. In many families, physical punishment is the norm.