Handled in beastly style (6)
I believe the answer is:
mauled
'handled in beastly style' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
This is all the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mauled that I've seen before include "Savaged and torn, as by 26 Down" , "Battered" , "Handled roughly or clawed" , "Handled clumsily" .)