This publication provides basic information on the nature of child abuse and neglect, including chapters on: (1) the definition of relevant terms (physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse); (2) the scope and magnitude of the problem of child abuse and neglect; (3) the causes of child maltreatment and the most common characteristics of maltreated children and their families; (4) indicators that can assist in identification of child abuse and neglect; (5) the requirements for reporting child abuse and neglect; (6) the kinds of efforts underway to prevent child abuse and neglect and to treat abused and neglected children and their families; and (7) the federal role in dealing with child maltreatment and the functions of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. Appended are the names and addresses of the child protective services agencies for each state, followed by the state's procedures for reporting suspected child maltreatment; a list of national organizations concerned with child maltreatment; a list of national child welfare resource centers; and a selected bibliography of child abuse and neglect literature. (NB)