[The status of care of abused and neglected children in Zagreb at the end of the 20th century].

In this paper, the data on some medical, social and legal aspects of abuse and/or neglect of children in Zagreb are presented which, at least, partially illustrate this societies' care of mistreated children at the end of the 20th century. We reviewed questionnaires that were administered to 44 health institutions involved in the childrens' health control and/or treatment and to 14 social work services and analyzed cases of child mistreatment reported to the Zagreb Public Prosecution Office and final court judgements for 1987 to 1988. We conclude that all these institutions encounter cases of child abuse and/or neglect but that medical institutions identify only 10% of cases detected by social work services and that judicial system sentences with imprisonment about 30% of abusers. Underdetection of child mistreatment in Zagreb, in addition to poor coordination of services, are the possible reasons for insufficient concern for these children. Up to now, only mass media and scientific publications have spoken more loudly about this problem. The authors emphasize the need and obligation of all those professionals concerned with children and of the entire community to undertake relevant measures to protect abused and/or neglected children.