The subject of child abuse is one of the most difficult topics to discuss. It is imperative to have a thorough understanding of this topic and its implications, especially when working in the human services field. Professionally and personally, I have encountered situations where child abuse is present. This reality has touched my life in many ways and these experiences continue to shape me as a human being and as a social service provider. I will try to cover in this article the topic of child abuse, its definitions, the magnitude of the problem and its proper prevention. First, it would be important to define some terms related to child abuse. It is imperative to have a common understanding of the many terms that relate to it. The topic of child abuse is very complex and certainly creates strong emotions in people when talking about or dealing with it. Generally speaking, there seems to be confusion about the terms abuse and neglect. According to “Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment and Intervention, Chapter 2,” neglect is the most common type of child maltreatment in the United States. Neglect could be defined as the failure to provide for a person's basic needs or care. Unfortunately, society has downplayed the effects of neglect and many adults pay less attention to this type of child abuse. The effects of neglect can be just as damaging as the effects of other types of abuse on children, especially those whose brains are in the early stages of development. One of the biggest challenges in defining neglect is that it varies by social level. service professionals, the justice system, the medical community and even in different jurisdictions...... middle of article ......fmGoldman, J., Salus, MK, Wolcott, D., Kennedy , K.Y. (2003). A coordinated response to child abuse and neglect: the foundation of practice. Retrieved from Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau website: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/foundation/foundationc.cfmDunn, D. & Craig, GJ, & (2013). Understanding Human Development (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson. Crain, W. C. (2011). Developmental Theories: Concepts and Applications (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice HallMcGuigan, W., Vuchinich S. and Pratt, C. (2000) Domestic violence, parents' views of their infants, and risk of child maltreatment. Journal of Family Psychology (14), 613-624. Retrieved February 21, 20014 from Academic Search Premier database. Mignon S., Larson C., Holmes W. (2001) Family Abuse: Consequences, Theories, and Responses Boston: Allyn and Bacon..