The case study includes a description of a case of nearly fatal abuse, the family situation before and after the abuse, and the outcome of the criminal process. The author advises that there can be significant differences among jurisdictions in Switzerland in the way child abuse cases are managed. The decision to report child abuse cases is left to the doctors or social workers in all but one area. There is only mandatory reporting of children who are killed. As soon as the police become involved, the investigation continues until the final hearing at the criminal court, except for cases where evidence is too weak to proceed. At the outset of the investigation, possible perpetrators are often taken to prison for a few days. There are two or three higher courts to receive appeals after the first decision. The child typically does not have to appear in court, but the child expert who has examined the child testifies in person or sends a written report. In the more central jurisdiction, there are well-organized professional social services, civil courts, and criminal courts with judges experienced in child abuse cases. In remote areas, which was the circumstance with the case study, social service is often provided by a lay volunteer. The home visits by a nurse after birth are offered to the parents during the first year, but they can be rejected. This then means that before the age of 5 or even 6, when children enter kindergarten, nobody sees a child regularly except the doctors; but parents can change doctors whenever they want. Even if some of the difficulties in the cited case were due to lack of resources, the main issue to be addressed is what to do when a mother who has severely battered a child is expecting another child. 4 references