THE VICTIMIZATION OF CHILDREN IS A CONSTANTLY INCREASING WORLDWIDE PROBLEM. CHILDREN ARE ABUSED, LEFT UNTREATED WHEN SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDERS, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, SUFFER FROM MALNUTRITION, AND LIVE IN POVERTY. CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION INCLUDE WHETHER COURT PROCEEDINGS DO IRREPARABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM TO THE CHILD, WHETHER JAILING OR TREATMENT OF PARENTS HAVE BENEFICIAL OR HARMFUL EFFECTS ON THE CHILD, AND WHETHER THE REPORTING LAWS HAVE BOTH ADVERSE AND POSITIVE EFFECTS ON THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE. THESE AREAS HAVE VIRTUALLY NO EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THEM; THE ARTICLES STRESS THAT MORE RESEARCH IS NECESSARY ON CHILD ABUSE. ARTICLES INCLUDE STUDIES ON THE CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE, SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILDREN, SOCIETAL NEGLECT OF ABUSING PARENTS, THE SCHOOLS' ROLE IN DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE, AND THE INCIDENCE OF DELINQUENCY IN ABUSED CHILDREN. RESEARCH AND PROJECT NOTES ARE PROVIDED. BOOK REVIEWS ON LITERATURE IN THIS AREA AND A NEWSLINE, PROVIDING PERTINENT INFORMATION ON CHILD ABUSE, ARE ALSO INCLUDED. FOR INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 46191 - 46202. (BAC)