The handbook views child abuse as a serious crime, one that is different from other crimes because it involves children who have special needs. Statistics indicate that almost 3 million children were the alleged subjects of child abuse in 1993, that 45 of every 1,000 children are reported as victims of child abuse, that overall child abuse reporting levels have increased by 50 percent between 1985 and 1993, and that 9 to 10 million children are directly affected by drug-abusing parents. The handbook also considers child abuse prevention to be a critical responsibility of police officers. During the investigation, police officers should realize the investigation itself may be traumatic for children. The investigation should be conducted in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of children. The handbook can be used as a brief reference guide to recognizing signs of child abuse during the initial police response, conducting investigations and gathering appropriate evidence, interviewing children, interrogating suspected offenders, and following the case through court. An appendix contains background information on child abuse, a list of available resources and training, and a child abuse investigation flowchart.