THE DISCUSSION TOUCHES ON DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN ABUSIVE AND DISCIPLINARY BEHAVIOR, STATE LAWS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, PROBLEMS IN DEFINING CHILD NEGLECT, THE CAUSES BEHIND MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN, AND THE NEED FOR TREATMENT BOTH FOR THE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILD AND FOR THE ABUSING OR NEGLECTING PARENTS. IT IS STRESSED THAT TREATMENT MUST FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY RATHER THAN ON THE NEEDS OF ONE OR TWO SPECIFIC FAMILY MEMBERS. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT OF 1974 IS NOTED, AS ARE MODEL CHILD ABUSE REPORTING STATUTES. SEVERAL APPROACHES TO TREATMENT, PREVENTION, AND IDENTIFICATION ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING PARENT SELF-HELP GROUPS, DIAGNOSTIC TEAMS, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTEERS. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED: PANEL FOR FAMILY LIVING (TACOMA, WASH.); PRO-CHILD (ARLINGTON, VA.); TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN; PACER PROJECT (ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.); PARENTAL STRESS CENTER (PITTSBURGH, PA.); AND CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (CHICAGO, ILL.). A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)