This popular textbook has been completely revised to reflect key changes in policy and research of the past decade, including current trends in legislation, court procedures, child welfare and criminal justice policies. The new edition also reflects the buregoning multi-disciplinary, scholarly literature on the physical and sexual abuse of children, including less-explored topics such as child neglect; "emotional" child maltreatment, and institutional abuse.

Among the recent trends highlighted are: shifting federal government priorities for family preservation and permanency planning; the increasing criminalization of more serious maltreatment cases; improved investigative coordination between social welfare and criminal justice agencies; expanded use of mediation in juvenile courts; use of post-partum depression and other "syndrome" defenses in the courtroom; and latest research findings on the causes, treatment and prevention of child malltreatment.