THE LITERATURE REVIEW INCLUDES AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE, A DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME, CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME, AND THE INCIDENCE OF THIS SYNDROME IN THE U.S.A., CANADA, AND GREAT BRITAIN. LITERATURE DEALING WITH THE PSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE, TREATMENT OF THIS PROBLEM, AND COURT PROCEDURES IN CHILD ABUSE CASES IS ALSO EXAMINED. THE RESEARCH STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE AUTHOR WAS DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILD-ABUSING PARENTS. THIS STUDY COMPARED AGE, PSYCHIATRIC STATUS, CRIMINALITY, AND INTELLIGENCE OF 214 PARENTS OF BATTERED CHILDREN AND 76 CONTROL PARENTS. IT ALSO REPORTED ON THE METHODS USED BY THE BRITISH SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AND THE POLICE IN MANAGING THESE 134 BATTERED CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS. FINDINGS ARE REPORTED FOR THE PSYCHIATRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE PARENTS, THE SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILD ABUSIVE FAMILIES, AND THE CHILD REARING PRACTICES OF THESE PARENTS.