A chapter on definitions divides child abuse into four broad areas: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and nonorganic failure to thrive, and emotional abuse. For each of these types of abuse, a definition is provided, along with historical background and incidence. The second chapter reviews theories of the causes of physical and sexual abuse. For physical abuse, the discussion focuses on societal factors (stress and socioeconomic factors) and family factors and adult characteristics. An overview of sexual abuse considers why children are sexually abused, who does it and how, and risk factors. Separate chapters provide overviews of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse and neglect. The chapter on physical abuse considers characteristics of abused children; the need to be aware of physical abuse as a possibility for a child's injuries; the range of injuries seen in physical abuse; and the assessment, investigation, and documentation required when there is a concern about physical abuse. The chapter on sexual abuse focuses on how to assess a case of possible child sexual abuse, including talking with the abused child and with the child's family, as well as discussing the principles involved in the physical assessment of the sexually abused child. The chapter on emotional abuse and neglect considers types of emotional abuse and the characteristics of parents who emotionally abuse their children. The chapter also discusses one aspect of neglectful behavior that causes nonorganic failure to thrive in infants. The two remaining chapters address treatment and prevention of child abuse. 240 references, a list of resources, and name and subject indexes