The encyclopedia of child abuse /

A comprehensive, general survey of child abuse. In the preface, the authors state their entry selectivity; international scope; recency of sources; use of nonspecialized language; and their exclusion of biographical information, except when needed for clarification of a particular entry. A detailed overview by Richard Gelles, an internationally known child-abuse expert, explains the history of the problem; its recognition; its prevention and treatment; the dilemma of defining "abuse"; the statistical extent of abuse; patterns and causes; explanations; consequences of maltreatment; and future research trends. The alphabetically arranged main body of the book contains about 440 entries, plus numerous cross-references. The entries vary in length from essay to annotation, and they reflect the range of disciplines represented: law, medicine, psychology, and sociology. Many entries are authenticated by statistical charts, lists, and tables. Among the 15 appendixes are a list of organizations, texts of laws, information on funding, and "Types of Immunity Granted by States." The encyclopedia concludes with a 14-page bibliography and a detailed index. There is minor duplication of some organization listings in Linda Webster's directory Sexual Assault and Child Sexual Abuse (CH, Jan '90), but the books serve separate purposes and are complementary. Useful in all libraries. -C. H. Handy, Westfield State College