CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE

Physical Abuse Includes (2)
Notes:

 

Physical abuse also:

  • includes physical punishment that is inappropriate or unreasonable 
  • depends on the circumstances

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Information:

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Physical punishment of a child is physical abuse when it is unreasonable or inappropriate. You will need to use your own sense of judgment to know what is and isn’t reasonable or appropriate. 

The general rule of thumb is that if you’ve noticed it, and it causes you concern then it is probably unreasonable or inappropriate and you should report it.

For example it may be reasonable to smack a child lightly on the bottom but unreasonable to smack so hard you leave a bruise, or inappropriate to smack across the face or the head.