Understanding child physical abuse
Learn more about what physical child abuse is, the signs and impacts it can have on a child.
What is physical child abuse?
Physical abuse refers to non-accidental physical harm (or risk of serious physical harm) to a child by an adult.
- Physical abuse may be intentional or may be the unintended result of physical punishment or excessive discipline
- It can be a single act or repeated acts
- Physical abuse does not always leave visible marks or injuries
- It is not how bad the mark or injury is but rather the act itself that causes the injury or trauma
- Abuse can start slowly with a threat or push and get worse over time
- Child abuse is against the law
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation call Triple Zero (000).
Types of child physical abuse
Some examples of physical abuse include:
- Hitting, punching or slapping
- Choking or suffocating
- Kicking, pushing or pulling
- Biting, spitting or shaking
- Pinching, scratching or burning
- Destroying a child’s property
- Threatening to hurt a child
- Restraining or locking a child up
- Force feeding or denying food or sleep
- Throwing items or using items to hurt a child
- Poisoning or making a child feel unwell with drugs or medicine
- Stopping a child from taking their medication
Possible signs of physical abuse
Some indicators of physical abuse may include but are not limited to:
Physical:
- Child has frequent or multiple injuries
- Broken bones, dislocated joints, scratches, cuts, welts or burns
- Bruising or marks that show the shape of an object
- Drowsiness, vomiting, abdominal pain, fits or dehydration
Behavioural:
- Child is unable to explain an injury or the explanation is vague
- Explanation of injury seems unlikely or inconsistent with the injury type
- Arms and legs are covered by clothing in warm weather
- Seems afraid or frightened of parent/s or other adults
- Child is not wanting to go home
Impacts of physical abuse
Children may experience a range of emotional, psychological and physical problems as a result of being harmed, including:
- Low self-esteem
- Suicidal thoughts
- Aggressive behaviour
- Self-harming
- Nightmares or insomnia
- Behavioural problems
- Distrust of adults
- Developmental delays
- Depression or anxiety
- Physical ailments
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Criminal behaviour
- Attachment or learning disorders
- Increased fear, guilt or self-blame
- Post-traumatic stress or eating disorders
- Permanent physical injuries or death
Child protection is everyone’s business! Some adults have a legal obligation to notify authorities (these obligations differ between states and territories).
Reporting child abuse
If you have a reason to suspect a child is experiencing harm or is at risk of experiencing harm, contact an authority in your state or territory and talk to them about your concerns.
There is support available
We’re here to help
Encourage the child in your life to contact Kids Helpline if they need some extra support to cope with what has been happening.
You may find talking to somebody outside of the situation helpful. You could try calling Parentline in your state or territory to discuss your concerns.
For some guidance on responding to disclosures of child abuse, see our article on Responding to disclosures of child abuse.
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Many young people contact Kids Helpline because an adult shared it with them first.
This content was last reviewed 09/01/2025
