Physical abuse

If someone deliberately hurts someone, that can be physical abuse. No matter what someone says, it’s never okay for someone to injure you on purpose.

Abuse is never your fault and getting help can keep you safe.

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What is physical abuse?

Physical abuse is when someone hurts you on purpose. They could hurt you themselves, or with an object or weapon. It can include:

  • hitting, smacking and slapping
  • punching and kicking
  • pinching, scratching and biting
  • shaking or suffocating you
  • scalding or burning you
  • hair pulling
  • spitting or throwing things at you
  • making you swallow something that hurts or makes you feel ill, including giving you medicine when you're not ill or don't need it.

If you’re being hurt, abused, or you’re worried about what’s happening at home then you’re not alone. You can speak to Childline any time.

5 things to remember:

  • physical abuse is always wrong
  • it’s never your fault if someone else abuses you
  • telling someone else what’s happening can help keep you safe
  • Childline is here to support you
  • if someone threatens you or puts you in danger, you can always call 999.

sometimes i get bruises
and it's hard to explain why

Talk to our counsellors. It's confidential and free to call.

Getting support with physical abuse

If someone’s hurting you or someone else, then it’s important to get support. You should never have to cope alone, and there are ways to get help:

Making a safety plan

A safety plan helps you know what to do if you’re feeling unsafe at home. It includes all of the information you’ll need in an emergency.

It’s important to talk to someone you trust or to Childline when you’re making a safety plan. Remember, you should never have to cope with abuse by yourself.

Your plan could include:

  • who to call, this could be an adult you trust, Childline or the police
  • safe places you can stay if you have to leave home, and a plan of how to get there if you need to travel
  • what to do if you’re at home and someone is making you feel unsafe
  • things you’ll need in an emergency, like medication or a phone charger
  • what to do if you’re caring for someone else.

Keep your plan somewhere safe and save it on your phone if you feel safe to.

Try our safety plan template

Coping after abuse

Physical abuse can have a big effect on you, it can be hard to cope with and you might feel like it’s your fault when it’s not.

Getting support from people you trust and Childline can help. You should never have to cope alone. There are a few things you can do that will help:

Talk about what's happened

What happened wasn’t your fault, and it can take time to start to feel differently. Talking about what’s happened to someone you trust and feel safe with is the best way to get help to cope. You should never have to manage alone.

Get more advice on asking for support.

Take care of yourself

Taking small steps every day to look after yourself is an important part of helping you to cope. It can help to work on a healthy routine that includes:

  • Getting enough sleep
  • Eating healthily
  • Keeping active and spending time outside
  • Making time to spend with people you feel safe with

There are lots of reasons you might struggle to make a healthy routine. If there are things that are stopping you, it’s important to get support. You could visit your doctor or get support from us any time.

Building your confidence and self-esteem

Abuse can have a big impact on your self-esteem. It can make you feel like you’re not good enough or like everything’s your fault when it’s not.

Building your confidence and self-esteem can take time, but you don’t have to do it alone. There are a few things it can help to focus on:

Helping someone else

If someone is behaving differently to usual or they’ve got marks or bruises, this could be a sign of abuse. It’s not always easy to tell if someone is being hurt, but it’s good to support someone if you’re not sure.

There are lots of ways you can help someone if you’re worried. It can help to:

  • let them know that you care and say if you’re worried about them
  • give them time to talk, and listen to them without judging of blaming them
  • help them get support from an adult, or if they’re not ready then help them speak to us
  • tell an adult you trust if you’re worried about someone’s safety, even if they don’t want you to
  • get support for yourself if you’re struggling.