THE DISCUSSION IS CENTERED AROUND THE THEORIES AND FACILITIES OF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT THAT FORM THE BASES OF OPERATION FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. EXAMINATIONS OF THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME AS A WESTERN CULTURAL PATTERN AND THE TRAITS AND NEEDS OF BATTERING PARENTS ARE UNDERTAKEN. THE THREE MAJOR CRITERIA THAT ESTABLISH THE BATTERING PARENT'S ABUSIVE PATTERN ARE IDENTIFIED AND PREDICTIVE AND PREVENTIVE INNOVATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE CENTER AND ADOPTED ELSEWHERE ARE DESCRIBED. THE EXPERIENCES OF SOME ABUSIVE PARENTS ENROLLED IN ONE OF THE CENTER'S TREATMENT PROGRAMS FAMILIES ANONYMOUS - ARE EXPLORED.