Protecting severely abused children: clarifying the roles of criminal justice and child welfare.

Child abuse legislation and increased public scrutiny have made child abuse the main focus of child welfare agencies. As a criminal act, severe child abuse should be dealt with by the criminal justice system to protect both endangered children and the rights of accused parents. Thus relieved of excessive demands, child welfare agencies could refocus on treatment and services to economically disadvantaged clients. A framework for intervention in allegations of child abuse is proposed.