To truly address child physical abuse, we have to understand the scope of the problem and how the use of corporal punishment can escalate to the point in which children are harmed. What Dr. Amy Slep and her team did was to set up their research in such a way that it was truly anonymous, and parents could feel very safe to be completely honest about their use of corporal punishment and even their own self-identified physical abuse of their own children. As you will hear, parents admit—and to a shocking degree—physically disciplining infants, an unsafe practice that warrants help and support immediately. They admit a range of behaviors far beyond the spanking with an open hand that some of us might remember from childhood. And a heartbreaking number admit to physically disciplining—to the point of physical abuse—their own children, whether because of corporal punishment taken too far or out of frustration or anger. 

Topics in this episode:

• Origin story (02:49)
• What are corporal punishment and physical abuse? (05:31)
• How the study encouraged honesty (11:28)
• Studying military families (15:51)
• Family size and physical abuse (21:39)
• Physically disciplining infants (24:18)
• Public policy implications (31:57)
• What’s next in research? (35:34)
• For more information (39:53)

 Links:

Amy M. Smith Slep, Ph.D., professor, Family Translational Research Group, New York University

DSM – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

ICD – International Classification of Diseases

“Glimpsing the Iceberg: Parent-Child Physical Aggression and Abuse,” Amy M. Smith Slep, Kimberly A. Rhoades, Michael F. Lorber, Richard E. Heyman (2022). Child Maltreatment, 0(0). DOI: 10.1177/10775595221112921

Child Maltreatment report series from the Administration for Children and Families has the most recent official statistics

National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire

Family Advocacy Program

“Know the Signs: Physical Abuse,” Alaska Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children’s Services

For more information about National Children’s Alliance and the work of Children’s Advocacy Centers, visit our website at NationalChildrensAlliance.org. Or visit our podcast website at OneInTenPodcast.org. And join us on Facebook at One in Ten podcast.

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