why does cole accuse his father of in the circle? how does his father respond?

Cole accuses his father of beating him. Cole's father denies it but there is the threat of violence in his actions even in the Circle,

"Or you'll what? Cole taunted. "Beat me?" Cole's father jumped to his feet...."I've given you swats when you've deserved them."

He accused his father of abusing him and his dad denied it cause he didn’t want anyone to know