[Child abuse and neglect]

There is still room for improvement with regard to legal protection of children, the education of parents as to the task of parenthood, and coordination between different specialties in assisting families with children through crisis situations. The article reports Scandinavian investigations into child abuse and the preventive measures hitherto introduced. The Scandinavian seminars on child abuse and neglect have been important forums for the exchange of experience, both with regard to research and clinical practice.