Physical abuse of a child can lead to severe brain damage, disfigurement, blindness, crippling, and death. Abused individuals may carry emotional scars for a lifetime.

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Children can be removed permanently from the parents' custody if the parents are the perpetrators and the cause is sufficient to warrant termination of parental rights. However, this experience itself can result in significant psychological problems due to feelings of rejection, or if the placement does not result in a strong, long-term attachment to new caregivers.

Call your health care provider, Child Protective Services, or local police if you suspect or know that someone is being abused.