battering

1 :  violent physical abuse that usually involves the act of striking someone repeatedly or heavily in order to cause injury Feminists turned violence against women, previously a well-kept secret, into a public political issue; made rape, incest, battering and sexual harassment understood as crimes; and got public funding for shelters for battered women. — The Nation

2 :  a damaging experience or situation :  an injury, setback, or defeat That was the year Canada rebounded from a 28–4 battering in the round-robin to beat the U.S. 17–16 in the championship final … — Bob Kravitz While her confidence took a battering [=was damaged], she kept a game face throughout the season. — Sally Bedell Smith