A review of the history of child abuse includes a definition of such abuse, frequency of abuse, and the reporting of child abuse. Five chapters on child physical abuse present an understanding of physical abuse (models of child abuse and the effects of abuse), assessment of physical abuse, treatment of the physical abuser of children, treatment of the victim and family, and intervention to address social and situational factors in physical abuse. Five chapters on sexual abuse cover similar topics pertinent to this type of child abuse. In discussing the assessment of abuse, issues considered are abuser characteristics, nonabusing family members, the child victim, and social and situational contexts. Issues in the treatment of abusers focus on techniques of intervention appropriate for the various forms of abuse and abusers. Treatment of the victim and the family likewise focuses on various intervention techniques. A chapter on the prevention of the physical and sexual abuse of children considers prevention efforts for potential victims, for potential perpetrators, and for the general public and professionals. 450 references, subject and author indexes.