THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK IS TO GIVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AN UNDERSTANDING OF FAMILY FACTORS WHICH LEAD TO CHILD ABUSE, THE METHODS HOSPITALS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES USE WHEN HANDLING ABUSE CASES, AND TO URGE PERSONS WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF ABUSE CASES TO ACTIVELY INTERVENE. ABUSE IS SEEN AS THE RESULT OF LEARNED PATTERNS OF CHILDREARING, INCREASING MARITAL TENSION, DIVORCE, AND A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE REAL NEEDS OF A CHILD. THE VARIOUS TYPOLOGIES OF CHILD ABUSE ARE GIVEN, BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH RESEARCHERS. THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE BOOK IS GIVEN TO DESCRIPTIONS OF SELF-HELP GROUPS AND PARENT INTERVENTION PROJECTS. MOST OF THESE AGENCIES ARE IN CALIFORNIA. HOWEVER, AN APPENDIX LISTS ADDRESSES WHICH CAN PROVIDE LISTS OF LOCAL GROUPS. READERS ARE URGED TO BECOME ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE. THOSE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS CONTROLLING THEIR ANGER ARE URGED TO SEEK HELP. THE BOOK HAS A STRONG RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION. (GLR)