Stop hitting your child

Stop hitting your child.

assault 1) v. the threat or attempt to strike another, whether successful or not, provided the target is aware of the danger. The assaulter must be reasonably capable of carrying through the attack. In some states if the assault is with a deadly weapon (such as sniping with a rifle), the intended victim does not need to know of the peril. Other state laws distinguish between different degrees (first or second) of assault depending on whether there is actual hitting, injury or just a threat. "Aggravated assault" is an attack connected with the commission of another crime, such as beating a clerk during a robbery. 2) n. the act of committing an assault, as in "there was an assault down on Third Avenue." Assault is both a criminal wrong, for which one may be charged and tried, and civil wrong for which the target may sue for damages due to the assault, including for mental distress.

battery 1) n. the actual intentional striking of someone, with intent to harm, or in a "rude and insolent manner" even if the injury is slight. Negligent or careless unintentional contact is not battery no matter how great the harm. Battery is a crime and also the basis for a lawsuit as a civil wrong if there is damage. It is often coupled with "assault" (which does not require actual touching) in "assault and battery."

tor·ture n.

1. a. Infliction of severe physical pain as a means of punishment or coercion.

    b. An instrument or a method for inflicting such pain.

2. Excruciating physical or mental pain; agony: the torture of waiting in suspense.

3. Something causing severe pain or anguish.

tr.v. tor·tured, tor·tur·ing, tor·tures

1. To subject (a person or an animal) to torture.

2. To bring great physical or mental pain upon (another). See Synonyms at

3. To twist or turn abnormally; distort: torture a rule to make it fit a case.

By the above definitions, corporeal punishment of children is assault and battery and torture.   It is also a cruel and unusual punishment.

Stop hitting your child.   Stop Corporeal Punishment of children.

Stop spanking children.   Stop whipping children with a belt.

Stop hitting children with a paddle.   Stop child torture.

Stop assault and battery of children by their own parents.

There is NEVER any Excuse to hit a child.

There is NEVER any Excuse to hit a child.

Stop hitting your child.