This standard textbook on battered children updates and adds to the previous editions, while retaining their multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach. It contains chapters on the current treatment and prevention of child abuse, covering paediatrics, psychiatry, and social and legal studies. Of the total number of 30 chapters in the book 20 are entirely new, while the remaining material has been extensively revised. Part 1 provides an historical overview of child abuse and neglect, as well as the background material on the cultural, psychiatric, social, economic and legal contexts of child maltreatment. Part 2 discusses the assessing of cases of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect from the perspectives of professionals such as teachers, paediatricians and social workers. Part 3 describes intervention and treatment, focusing on legal issues, investigative procedures and therapeutic processes. Part 4 addresses prevention and policy issues.