The authors -- experts in the field of child abuse from the disciplines of psychology, psychiatry, sociology, anthropology, law, medicine, social work, and journalism -write on aspects of child abuse in Australia, England, Canada, the United States, and Europe. Although the book is suitable for an international readership, there is substantial material on efforts to counter child abuse in Australia. The book places child abuse in broad perspective as a problem concerning the entire community. Papers on diagnosis and detection address the behavior of battered children as an aid to diagnosis and management, the work of the hospital child abuse team, contamination of the fetal environment as a form of prenatal abuse, failure to thrive, and family day centers and child abuse. Papers on child abuse treatment pertain to a comprehensive child sexual abuse treatment program, the role of the community nurse, the planning and development of a community child abuse management program, and protecting the child's interests. Papers on child abuse prevention focus on the development of a strong parent-infant bond, risk factors associated with child abuse, the reduction of parenting inadequacy, media campaigns, and community involvement in child abuse prevention. Chapter notes, subject index.