Facial abuse—intentional harm directed at a child's face, head, or neck—represents a distinct and high-risk form of physical maltreatment. When inflicted by mothers or primary maternal caregivers, facial abuse may carry unique clinical, psychosocial, and forensic implications because of caregiver roles in attachment and daily care. This paper synthesizes current knowledge, identifies gaps, and provides practical recommendations.
The face is how a child signals needs. Distorting that face through violence is a symbolic way of silencing the child’s "voice" and needs. facialabuse facial abuse maternal maltreatm upd
, much faster and with less sensory information than non-maltreated children. Altered Neural Responses Facial abuse—intentional harm directed at a child's face,