There is never any justification for any kind of physical punishment for any reason. But even worst is any kind of verbal, mental or emotional violence against any person or other being of any nature. Two different dimensions. The only medicine that could ever heal injuries done by violent words, thoughts and emotions is but Divine Love. The damage that often lasts for thousands of years may be so tremendous, that only God can heal all this wounds by his pure and omnipotent Divine Love .
Metaphysical energy has a power far beyond physical imaginations.
Fortunately, God created some safety measures in his creation. Most very physical persons with a strong ego have a rather weak metaphysical radiation. Because violent vibrations are of higher density, thus the flow of such energy is limited. It may be compared to the difference of the flow of honey compared to the flow of water through the same pipeline-system. It is harder to continuously create a flow of thoughts and emotions of low vibrations than such made of Divine Love.