Information on the child abuse victim encompasses an overview of victims and victimization, the vulnerability of children to abuse, indicators of various types of abuse, child development factors, abuse reporting, and special challenges. Techniques in child abuse investigations cover interviewing the victim, witnesses, and the suspect; physical evidence and search warrants; medical examinations in sexual abuse cases; and cases involving mass victimization. Issues pertaining to charging, plea negotiation, and disposition include the charging determination, declining prosecution, factors to consider in plea negotiations, and sentencing. Topics related to pretrial motions are discovery, motions for specificity, continuance motions, and severance motions, and motions regarding similar transactions. Matters pertaining to the trial are jury selection, the opening statement, presentation of the state's case, countering the defense's case, and closing arguments. Special considerations include videotape and closed-circuit television procedures. The manual concludes with suggestions for developing a coordinated system for investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases. 11 tables, chapter references, and appended select articles, descriptions of community efforts, and a State-by-State review of legislative protections for children in criminal child abuse proceedings.