The first part of the volume presents an overview of and general background on components of the ecology of child abuse and neglect. The second part focuses on assessment of the various forms of child abuse and neglect, while the third part covers intervention and treatment. The fourth part deals with prevention, policies, and national priorities. Chapters specifically look at the roots of child maltreatment, the role of economic deprivation in the social context of child maltreatment, the legal context of child abuse and neglect, rights of children and parents, and psychological and biological factors in child maltreatment. Additional chapters examine the therapeutic relationship, child abuse and family assessment, child protective services, physical abuse, the pathology of child abuse, child sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, Munchausen Syndrome, unusual forms of child abuse, the role of law enforcement in the investigation of child abuse and neglect, the role of lawyers in child protection, alternative forms of intervention, child and family treatment, and child protection policies. References, tables, figures, and photographs