“Physical abuse is the most visible form of child maltreatment, and is defined as physical injury resulting from punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning or otherwise harming a child”. National Resource Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Physical indicators include:

• bruises
• human bite marks
• lacerations
• cigarette burns
• swollen areas
• broken bones
• marks on child’s face, head, back, chest, genital area, buttocks or thighs
• missing hair

Behavioral indicators include:

• Extreme withdrawn or aggressive behavior
• Chronic runaway behavior
• Wearing clothing inappropriate for weather to cover the body

Many times physical abuse is a result of excessive discipline or physical punishment that is inappropriate for the child’s age. To try to justify for the abusive behavior, an often misquoted Bible verse is used:

He who spares the rod, spoils the child. – Proverbs 13:24.

Godly discipline, administered in love shouldn’t leave physical marks or emotional scars.

Types of Child Abuse: