Yes. Two hours in a corner on knees is abusive and cruel.
Is making a kid kneel in the corner as punishment for a couple of hours seen as abusive from an American perspective even though you aren't beating the kid?
It's seen as abusive from most perspectives.
It's abusive.
For hours ! Yes! Confining an adult never mind a CHILD for hours in an uncomfortable physical position is very abusive. THAT can be equated to torchure.