STRESSED ARE THE DETECTION, TREATMENT AND EFFECTIVE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE. CHILD ABUSE IS DEFINED AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS ARE EXPLAINED. ALSO OUTLINED ARE THE LAWS PERTAINING TO CHILD PROTECTION PARTICULARLY NOTING CALIFORNIA'S CIVIL PROTECTIONS. THE COMMUNITY'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PROBLEM AND ITS INTERFACING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOTED. FINALLY, INFORMATION IS GIVEN ON WHO TO CALL IN CASE CHILD ABUSE IS DETECTED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A SAMPLE MEDICAL FORM FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE TO BE FILLED OUT BY PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL....KAP