Is It Legal for My Mom's Boyfriend to Hit Me in the Face in Ohio?
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 1, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
Is it legal for my mom's boyfriend to hit me in the face?
Attorney Answer
No. It is not legal for your mom's boyfriend to hit you in the face. In Ohio, only a parent, guardian, or someone legally standing in a parent's place has any privilege to use reasonable physical discipline on a child, and even that privilege has limits. A boyfriend does not automatically have that role, and hitting you in the face can be assault and, depending on the relationship, domestic violence or child endangering.
Ohio Revised Code 2903.13 makes it illegal for someone to knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another person. If the boyfriend lives with your mom, Ohio's domestic violence law, Ohio Revised Code 2919.25, may also apply, because its definition of family or household member includes a child of the person the offender is living with as a spouse. Ohio also has a specific child endangering law, Ohio Revised Code 2919.22, that protects children from people who have care or control over them.
Being hit in the face, especially by an adult who is not your parent, is something you should be able to talk about safely, and there are people whose job is to help.
What you can do
1. If you are in danger right now, call 911 or go to a safe place, like a neighbor, relative, or trusted adult's home. 2. Tell a trusted adult what happened, such as a parent, teacher, school counselor, coach, or relative. Teachers and counselors in Ohio are required by law to report suspected abuse, which can connect you to help quickly. 3. You can also call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, which is free, confidential, and available anytime. 4. Write down what happened, including the date and any details you remember, in case it's needed later. 5. If your mom doesn't believe you or won't act, you can still reach out to a school counselor, doctor, or your county's children services agency directly.
This is general legal information, not legal advice, and a local Ohio family law or child advocacy attorney, or your county's children services agency, can advise you on your specific situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What if my mom says it's okay for her boyfriend to discipline me?
Under Ohio law, only a parent, guardian, or someone standing in that role has any legal privilege to physically discipline a child, and even then it has to be reasonable. A mother's permission does not automatically extend that privilege to her boyfriend.
Will I get in trouble for telling someone?
No. Reporting that an adult hit you is not something you can get in trouble for, and Ohio law protects people, including kids, who report abuse in good faith.
What happens after I tell a teacher or counselor?
They are generally required to report it to children services or the police, who will look into what happened and help make a safety plan. You should still be involved in what happens next.
