LEGISLATIVE PURPOSES OF THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAW ARE TO ENCOURAGE MORE COMPLETE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, PROVIDE SWIFT INVESTIGATIONS OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE REPORTS, PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH PROTECTION FROM FURTHER ABUSE, PROVIDE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN, AND PRESERVE AND STABILIZE FAMILY LIFE WHEN APPROPRIATE. CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS, BY NATURE OF THEIR PROFESSION, ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE. THESE INDIVIDUALS INCLUDE PHYSICIANS, MEDICAL EXAMINERS, DENTISTS, OPTOMETRISTS, CHIROPRACTORS, PODIATRISTS, INTERNS, NURSES, SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, CHILD CARE WORKERS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, AND HOSPITAL PERSONNEL. DURING 1977, APPROXIMATELY 4,500 CHILDREN WERE SERIOUSLY ABUSED UNDER DEFINITIONS OF THE LAW. EACH DAY, AN AVERAGE OF 12 CHILDREN WERE ABUSED. COUNTY CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES INVESTIGATED 12,939 INCIDENTS OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE IN 1977, OF WHICH 8,441 WERE UNFOUNDED REPORTS. THE ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDES A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE REPORTS SUBMITTED TO PENNSYLVANIA'S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE, A STATUS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAW, AN ANALYSIS OF COSTS RELATED TO THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE, SERVICES OFFERED/PROVIDED BY COUNTY CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE, AND LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN SERVICES FOR ABUSED CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS. A FORM FOR REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND A DIRECTORY OF CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES IN PENNSYLVANIA ARE APPENDED. ILLUSTRATIONS AND DATA PERTINENT TO CHILD ABUSE ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)