INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES ARE ARRANGED IN SECTIONS DEVOTED TO A SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE. EACH SECTION BEGINS WITH AN INTRODUCTION; A SUMMARY OF POINTS PRESENTED IN THE READINGS CONCLUDES EACH SECTION, ALONG WITH A LIST OF PERTINENT STUDY QUESTIONS AND A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY. THE OPENING SECTION DEALS WITH THE PROBLEM OF IDENTIFYING BATTERED CHILDREN AND THE HAZARDS IN DETERMINING CHILD ABUSE. EMERGENCY CHILD CARE SERVICES AND THE NECESSITY OF PRESERVING THE FAMILY OF IDENTIFIED VICTIMS ARE CONSIDERED. PSYCHOLOGISTS DISCUSS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM CHILD ABUSE, AND THERAPY AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT COULD HELP IN REHABILITATING ABUSIVE PARENTS. WRITINGS INCLUDED BY CRIMINOLOGISTS STRESS THE NECESSITY OF DETECTION AND REPORTING OF ABUSE AND URGE THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC AGENCIES TO EXERCISE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN FOLLOWING UP ON SUSPICIONS OF ABUSE. SOCIOLOGISTS DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROTECTIVE AGENCIES, AND THE CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSING PARENTS. SECTIONS WRITTEN BY MEDICAL WORKERS AND BY EDUCATORS EXAMINE THE RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND IMPLICATIONS OF REPORTING AND FOLLOWING UP ON CHILD ABUSE SUSPICIONS. HOSPITAL PROGRAMS FOR SUPPORTING NEW MOTHERS ARE CONSIDERED, AND EDUCATORS' DIFFICULTIES IN HANDLING EMOTIONALLY DAMAGED, BATTERED CHILDREN ARE DISCUSSED. THE CLOSING SECTION INCLUDES READINGS REGARDING PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND COPING WITH CHILD ABUSE. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. THE COLLECTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR COURSES IN A NUMBER OF DISCIPLINES THAT ENCOMPASS THE STUDY OF CHILDREN, AND MAY CONSTITUTE A PART OF INSERVICE OR PRESERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS. (DAG)