I found out my ex has been hitting my 9-year old daughter with a belt. He says he won't stop. What should I do?

I picked my daughter up from her dads tonight and he mentioned she got in trouble last night for refusing to eat her peas (she's always hated them). On our way home she told me he hit her with a belt again and it hurt her really bad. I asked her how many times this has happened, and she said it happens "every once in a while". Not only am I vehemently against spanking, I'm disgusted at the idea of him using a belt to discipline her. I immediately called him to get more info and he said he will not stop hitting her with a belt when she doesn't listen.My daughter has ASD, but I work really hard with her along with a therapist to learn coping mechanisms for better behavior. We rarely have issues with her at home, and it's because a direct conversation during rough moments usually gets her back on track. She does not need to be spanked when using words is enough to get her in the right direction.What do I do? I know spanking is legal in most states but I'm 100% against it and a stern conversation has always been enough in my house. Does he have the right to hit her with a belt even though I don't approve?Thanks in advance for your advice. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2y8WEjN