QUESTIONNAIRES WERE GIVEN TO MEMBERS OF THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY, INDIANA, PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY -- TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, CLERGY, PSYCHOLOGISTS, VISITING NURSES, AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES. THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT THEY: (1) DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIAL ISOLATION AMONG THOSE CHARACTERISTICS WHICH IDENTIFY POTENTIALLY ABUSING FAMILIES; (2) DO NOT CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE PROVISIONS OF INDIANA LAW MANDATING THE REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE; (3) REPORT THAT PEOPLE WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF AN ABUSING OR NEGLIGENT PARENT ARE RELUCTANT TO INFORM AUTHORITIES OF THE SITUATION; (4) DO NOT KNOW IF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN RECEIVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE COUNTY; AND (5) DO NOT KNOW IF PARENTS OF ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN RECEIVE ADEQUATE SERVICES. THE STUDY OF ADJUDICATED CASES OF ABUSE IN THE COUNTY INDICATES THAT: (1) MOST CASES OF ABUSE OCCUR IN FAMILIES HEADED BY A SINGLE PARENT; (2) MOST ABUSING PARENTS (USUALLY THE MOTHER) MARRIED EARLY IN LIFE AND ARE UNDEREDUCATED WITH FEW EMPLOYABLE SKILLS; (3) MOST ABUSING FAMILIES ARE NOT ON WELFARE BUT ARE ESSENTIALLY IN NEED OF FINANCIAL HELP; AND (4) MOST ABUSING PARENTS ARE SOCIALLY ISOLATED AND ARE ONLY INFREQUENTLY ABLE TO PURSUE INTERESTS OF THEIR OWN. RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THESE FINDINGS ARE SUMMARIZED. THE FORM USED IN THE SURVEY OF CHILD ABUSE CASES AND THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON CHILD ABUSE GIVEN COUNTY PROFESSIONALS ARE REPRODUCED IN APPENDIXES. DATA CONCERNING THE CHILD AND PARENTS IN ABUSING FAMILIES AND LEGAL DISPOSITIONS OF THE CASES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED -- VA)