BECAUSE THE PERPETRATOR OF A CHILD ABUSE OFFENSE USUALLY IS A CLOSE RELATIVE OF THE VICTIM, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF THE CHILD OR FAMILY TO REPORT THE CRIME. DESPITE MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS, EVEN TEACHERS AND NEIGHBORS WILL HESITATE TO CONTACT THE POLICE OR A SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE OF FEAR THAT SUCH INFORMATION WILL NOT BE USED TO ACTUALLY HELP THE CHILD. APPREHENSION EXISTS OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF REPRISAL BY THE OFFENDER AGAINST THE VICTIM. ALTHOUGH UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS LACK THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING NEEDED FOR THE BEST HANDLING OF CHILD ABUSE CASES, IN SAN JOSE, CALIF, THEY ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO TRUST THE AUTHORITIES AND ARE TRAINED TO TURN POSSIBLE ABUSE CASES OVER TO INVESTIGATORS. PHYSICIANS ARE BEING MADE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONDUCTING A VICTIMS' MEDICAL EXAMINATION IN A REASSURING MANNER AND WHICH OBTAINS EVIDENCE FOR THE OFFENDER'S. VERTICAL PROSECUTION, THE USE OF ONE ATTORNEY FROM INTAKE TO RULING, IS EFFECTIVE IN MAINTAINING THE TRUST OF THE YOUNG VICTIM. EXPEDITED PROCEEDINGS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FEMALE ATTORNEYS ALSO ARE DISCUSSED. (TWK).