Just as unreported and undisclosed abuse is unjust, so is the unfounded an inaccurate reporting. A false report is devastating and lasting, the stigma stays long after the report has been cleared. Therefore it is important that careful investigation is done before accusations are made. There is, sometimes, a fine line between what distinguishes between abuse and harsh, if appropriate, punishment. This confusion about what constitutes abuse may influence the high level of under-reporting.
Physical abuse can be as emotionally traumatizing as it is physically traumatizing.
The betrayal that the child will associate with a trusted parental figure hurting them can be devastating. It is also usually accompanied by emotional abuse, the physical assaults being interspersed with verbal insults and unreasonable expectations. Physical abuse can lead to delayed development, learning disorders, motor disorders, mental retardation, hearing loss or poor physical growth. The victim may react by separating him or herself from the abuser, or internalizing the abusive message. Since emotional abuse involves a failure to meet the emotional needs of the child, most of the consequences are due to the psychological component of abuse.