This book is intended to provide an overview of current knowledge about child abuse rather than a focus on one particular professional viewpoint or facet of the problem. Introductory and concluding chapters address the definition of child abuse and neglect, why it occurs, and what happens to abused children. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 explore physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, looking at the historical awareness of these problems, their incidence and epidemiology, contributing factors, assessment, treatment, and prevention. Case studies of various intervention strategies and research findings from around the world are included. The book also provides a list of journals, books, and organizations that can be used as resources on this topic. Contains approximately 212 references. (WJC)