Where is the line between abuse and discipline?
The intent of the child abuse reporting law is not to interfere with appropriate parental discipline but to respond to extreme or inappropriate parental/caretaker actions. Excessive corporal punishment can easily result in an unintended injury(ies) to a child due to the difference in size between an adult and a child, the presence of anger, and the use of force. Actions that are excessive or forceful enough to leave injuries are considered abusive.
