How physical abuse is defined in Oregon

August 5, 9:19 PMPortland Teen Issues ExaminerFlora Richards-Gustafson

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One of the heart-breaking things about working with teens is hearing about some of the trials they are going through or have gone through in their lives in terms of abuse. One of the most frustrating things to hear about are abuse allegations that are not responded to by DHS or the police department because of lack of evidence, conflicting stories, etc.

So what classifies as physical abuse in Oregon? Ruth Liao from the Statesman Journal examines this issue in one of her latest articles that brings recent cultural issues in the community to light. The story centers around youth that were physically punished for cutting their hair too short and for wearing a temporary tattoo: these things went against the culture of their family.

Courtland Geyer, the chief deputy district attorney in Marion County, stated in this article:

"A parent or guardian can use reasonable, physical discipline on a child — all of those words have meanings...Considering what the child did, and what the parent or guardian's response is measured — does the punishment fit the crime?"

Basically corporal punishment can only be used to discipline a youth or child (sounds like an oxymoron to me), not just because a parent is angry. Law enforcement many times will look for bruises or other visual signs of punishment before they will consider the "discipline" to be abuse.

The statements by the DA are tough to swallow, especially when I have seen parents take corporal punishment too far and only get a slap on the wrist for the black-eye they gave their kid. It is hard for a group of people to agree on what is okay and what is not. Culture or not, there are ways to tell children and teens what is acceptable in a way that is healthy and constructive.

Learn about reporting abuse in Oregon.

Child abuse and neglect in Oregon.

Additional links about child abuse and neglect:

National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse
Arlington, Virginia
Phone: 703-549-9222

Administration for Children & Families
Child Abuse Prevention
Washington D.C.

Kempe Children’s Center
Denver, Colorado
Phone: 303-864-5252

Missing Children Clearinghouse
Salem, Oregon
Phone: 1-800-282-7155 (Hotline)

Child Welfare League of America
Arlington, Virginia
Phone: 703-412-2400

National Center for Victims of Crime
Washington D.C.
Toll free: 1-800-394-2255