AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM IS BUILT ON THE FACT THAT INCEST IS A PROBLEM WHICH VIOLATES THE RIGHT TO A CHILDHOOD THAT IS FREE OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ABUSE. SOCIAL AND LEGAL SYSTEMS HAVE FAILED TO MEET THIS NEED BECAUSE OF THE SOCIETAL BELIEF THAT PARENTS HAVE ABSOLUTE RIGHT OVER THEIR CHILDREN. DESCRIBING INCESTUOUS FAMILIES BY CERTAIN PERSONALITY TRAITS, BEHAVIORS, AND FAMILY INTERACTION PATTERNS CAN HELP MEDICAL AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL DETECT INCIDENCES OF INCEST. THE 1975 STATE MANDATORY REPORTING LAW (AMENDED IN 1978) STATES WHO MUST REPORT SUSPECTED CASES, WHAT TYPES OF BEHAVIOR MUST BE REPORTED, WHEN AND HOW THE REPORT MUST BE MADE, AND WHO SHOULD RECEIVE IT. THE LAW PROTECTS THOSE MAKING REPORTS FROM CIVIL LIABILITY, ESTABLISHES PENALTIES FOR NOT REPORTING SUSPECTED INCIDENCES, AND MANDATES THAT THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION WITHIN 24 HOURS. AN INTERDISCIPLINARY, INTERAGENCY CHILD ABUSE TEAM THAT IS AWARE OF JUDICIAL SYSTEM PROCEDURES IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT, AS IS SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS. CLOSE COOPERATION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN LOCAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM FURTHER ABUSE, TO HELP PARENTS FULFILL THEIR PARENTAL ROLES, AND TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH PROPER CARE. THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY CAN ALSO PLAY A ROLE IN PREVENTING INCEST. CHARTS AND GRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT, AND APPENDIXES PROVIDE DESCRIPTIONS OF LAWS, INTERVIEW SUGGESTIONS, MEDICAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURES, DETAILS OF LABORATORY TESTING, A PROSECUTOR'S GUIDE, AND A DESCRIPTION OF ONE ABUSE TEAM PROGRAM. (KCP)