Physical abuse is purposely hurting a child and causing injuries such as burns, cuts, bruises, or broken bones.

Children who are victims of physical abuse suffer violence such as being hit, kicked, poisoned, burned, slapped or having objects thrown at them. Shaking or hitting babies can cause Non- Accidental Head Injuries (NAHI). Sometimes parents or caregivers make children sick by giving them medicine they don't need; this is known as fabricated or induced illness (FII).

Physically abusing a child causes serious, and often long-lasting, harm - and in severe cases, even death.