the DHHS (1999) that boys and girls are physically abused with roughly the same frequencies, and that abuse transcends socioeconomic status; although those with at lower socioeconomic levels are said to have high risks only because they are subject to more environmental stressors. The DHHS suggests that data on the numbers of children who are physically abused each year are probably conservative estimates since not all cases of physical abuse of children are reported.
Effects of Physical Abuse on School Age Children
Several quite negative effects arise from physical abuse in childhood. First and foremost of these is physical injury. In this regard, Di Scala (2000) reports that physically abused children are more likely than non-physically abused children to suffer some form of intracranial injury, and thoracic and abdominal injuries. They are also more likely to have more severe injuries than non-physically abused children. Further, they are more likely to have longer hospital stays, to go to develop extensive fu
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