THIS CONFERENCE WAS SPONSORED BY THE CHILD PROTECTION CENTER OF THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON, D.C., IN FEBRUARY, 1977. PARTICULAR ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE ISSUES OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT AT HOME AND IN THE SCHOOLS, PARENTAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES, COURT REFORM, AND SEX ABUSE, AS WELL AS TO THE CLASSICAL SUBJECTS OF CHILD ABUSE ETIOLOGY AND TREATMENT MODALITIES. THE SESSION ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN THE SCHOOLS ANALYZED STATE LEGISLATION ON THE TOPIC, PRESENTED ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST, REVIEWED THE IMPACT OF THE INGRAHAM DECISION BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WHICH ALLOWS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, AND PRESENTS THREE THEORETICAL PAPERS ON THE VALUE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. THE SECTION ON THE CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE FOCUSED ON THE INCREASING PROBLEMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE FOUND IN COMINGLED FAMILIES. WITH THE INCREASE IN ALTERNATIVE FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS, THE TRADITIONAL SEX ROLES OF THE NUCLEAR FAMILY ARE ABSENT AND SEXUAL PROBLEMS INCREASE. THE PROBLEMS OF THE STEP-PARENT AND THE MOTHER'S 'BOYFRIEND' ARE PARTICULARLY DISCUSSED. OTHER PAPERS DEAL WITH 'BONDING' FAILURE DURING THE EARLY MOTHER-INFANT RELATIONSHIP AND THE TYPES OF MOTHER-CHILD INTERACTION WHICH SEEM TO PARTICULARLY LEAD TO CHILD ABUSE. INTERVENTION STRATEGIES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEXUAL ABUSE AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR ARE EXAMINED; SEVERAL STUDIES HAVE FOUND A STRONG ASSOCIATION. PREVENTION TECHNIQUES AND THERAPY FOR BOTH PARENT AND CHILD WERE DISCUSSED IN THE SECTION ON TREATMENT MODALITIES. THE SECTION ON COURT REFORM URGED THAT MORE ATTENTION BE GIVEN TO THE TRAUMA A CHILD SUFFERS IN COURT HEARINGS, THAT CHILD ABUSE CASES ESPECIALLY BE HELD IN AN INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE, AND THAT THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WHO INVESTIGATES FOR THE COURT NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAKE SUCH DIDACTIC STATEMENTS THAT FURTHER WORK WITH THE FAMILY IS IMPOSSIBLE. A FINAL WORKSHOP ON PARENTAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES CONSIDERED REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAMS WHICH PROTECTED PARENTS' RIGHTS TO REAR THEIR CHILDREN WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, PROVIDING FOR REMOVAL OF THE CHILD TO SAFE CUSTODY WHEN THE SITUATION DEMANDS IT. THE USE OF CENTRAL REGISTRIES OF CHILD ABUSE INFORMATION AND THE POSSIBLE THREAT THESE MAY CAUSE TO CIVIL LIBERTIES WAS DISCUSSED. (GLR)