How do you intervene in abusive and neglectful families, or prevent maltreatment in families at risk? How can you find the answers you need in the overwhelming array of information now available? This volume helps readers focus by evaluating a wealth of references to current published literature and pinpointing the practical applications that put these findings into action.

Condensing the explosion of information about child maltreatment into one provoking yet accessible primer, the author first offers an historical perspective on child maltreatment and an assessment of the scope of the problem. He then discusses theoretical perspectives for understanding the problem and specific treatment and prevention techniques. Information on organizations working in the field in the United States illustrates not only the size of the problem but also the mobilized efforts to stem child abuse and neglect.