Child abuse is one of the most pervasive and profoundly disturbing problems confronting the United States today. Psychologists often are confronted in their various roles and work settings with complex issues surrounding child abuse. As practitioners, psychologists need systematic knowledge of services, agencies, legislation, and regulations regarding child abuse. The information presented in this article includes: (1) reporting requirements; (2) handling disclosure; (3) some possible effects of reporting; (4) assessment of children who have been abused; (5) intervention for abused children; (6) offender issues; and (7) resources available to psychologists. Child abuse, as a generic term, includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and physical and emotional neglect. Child abuse cuts across all lines of gender, national origin, language, religion, age, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation. This wide range of victims and acts has led to confusion in clinical and state-law definitions of exactly what constitutes abuse and neglect. Child abuse may occur both between adults and children and between children. The various forms of child abuse have similarities as well as differences. In addition, child abuse is not necessarily a linear process in which one person abuses only one other. Rather, there are distressing cyclical and ripple effects of abuse. The long-term effects, particularly of untreated abuse, can be devastating as well. Appendixes