Advances have been particularly significant in the development of self-report and analogue assessments to measure parental responses in a variety of contexts. As the assessment of physically abusive and neglectful families often is impeded or complicated by a variety of problems, several issues need to be addressed in the behavioral assessment of child abuse and neglect. These include: the failure of professionals to report many cases of suspected child abuse and the related failure to inform parents that suspected abuse is being reported or actively considered; accuracy of assessment; widening the scope of assessment; assessment acceptability; and enhancing compliance. Strategies that may facilitate compliance of maltreating parents with assessment procedures require ongoing investigation. 73 references (Author abstract modified)