| “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Extreme withdrawn or aggressive behavior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.
|
CHILD
ABUSE: Physical Abuse