My brother and me were "just" caned, I can't count how many times I was slapped in the face, my mom told me I must have been confused in hospital as she was always pretty, intelligent and good at sports, when I was all the opposite. Just like in your case, we were never beaten close to death, we "only" had bruises all over our behinds.

And still, my brother hanged himself when I survived. Most children are robust and adapt to abusive environments, or should I say, maladapt, as many of my current issues are linked to the abuse I suffered.