INCLUDED ARE A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE, A DISCUSSION OF THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE UNITED STATES AND A REPORT ON A 1974 RESEARCH STUDY WHICH SURVEYED THE OPINIONS AND ATTITUDES OF SELECTED PROFESSIONALS REGARDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING STATUTES. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REPORTING PRACTICES IN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, COLORADO, AND WEST VIRGINIA IS ALSO COMPARED BASED ON SEPARATE FIELD RESEARCH STUDIES CONDUCTED FROM MAY THROUGH JUNE 1974. IN ADDITION, A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF CENTRAL REGISTERS AND THE PROBLEM OF DATABANKS IS PROVIDED. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A STUDY ON THE OPERATION OF CALIFORNIA CHILD ABUSE LAWS, A DISCUSSION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT IN MILITARY COMMUNITIES, AND A 27-PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PUBLICATIONS AND CASES.