Puerto Rican children are vulnerable to abuse because environmental and intrafamilial stresses are coupled with the stresses associated with migration from Puerto Rico to the United States. The percentage of abused Puerto Rican children is likely to be higher than in other Hispanic or non-Hispanic populations. This document reviews the following aspects of child abuse in Puerto Rican communities: (1) the social context of contemporary child abuse; (2) definitions of physical and sexual abuse; (3) patterns of abuse; (4) antecedents to abuse in the Puerto Rican community; (5) Puerto Ricans and abuse in Connecticut; (6) Puerto Rican case data: the process of abuse; and (7) cross-cultural conflicts and adolescent abuse: a framework of intervention. Recommendations for intervention strategies are outlined. Policy recommendations are offered in the following areas: (1) research; (2) prevention and treatment programs; (3) the need for trained personnel; (4) the need for training materials; and (5) the need for interagency cooperation. A 30-item list of references is provided. (BJV)