Is this considered abuse?

Question

My cousin erin went out to eat with me and her mom and dad, my aunt and uncle. Well my uncle kind of smacked her in the back of the head. Not very hard, but it was enough to make her head jerk forward. And you could also hear it smack. She's scared of her father now and don't know what to do. Would that be considered abuse?

Answer 1

Full fledged abuse? No probably not in the sense of jail time. Very poor parenting? Most definitely! I have 3 children aged 9-14 and I have never done more than one smack on the bottom to get attention when they were too involved in their argument. The fact that he did this in front of you as well as in public is most disturbing. Makes me winder what goes on behind closed doors when it is just their immediate family. Your cousin scan go to the school counselor or a teacher they trust and talk to them. If social services gets involved, the most that will probably happen is dad will have to take classes and get counseling Highly unlikely she will be taken away or anything. Or is it possible for you to talk to your parent that is related to them?  

Answer 2

of course its abuse.

how does someone feel when they are smacked around the head.

its annaceptable behaviour.

Answer 3

I agree with Natalie, it depends... Bur I wouldn't be glad about a smack on my head. there are another possibilities to express one's feeling.

Answer 4

What did she do to get a whap ? and how old is she?

Answer 5

well it depends on the situation...if he was doing it in a joking manner like saying "you silly!" then I wouldn't worry. but if it was to be deliberately mean/violent towards her, then yes.