Experiences in prenatal life and early childhood that may cause personality disorders or criminal behavior in later life are examined in these proceedings of the Subcommittee on Childhood Experiences as Causes of Criminal Behavior, of the Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Science, Senate of Canada. This issue, the seventh in a series of 19 hearings dating from November 1977 to July 1978, presents expert testimony by Dr. Selwyn Smith on the topic of child abuse. The major historical landmarks of the problem are reviewed briefly and the characteristics of a sample of battered children and their parents are analyzed. Problems with the legal and social work approaches to dealing with child abuse are discussed. Other topics dealt with in response to questions from the senators include: the role of alcoholism in child abuse; brain structure and function and its relation to violent behavior; social class influence on child abuse; discipline and corporal punishment, and parenthood education. The text of the proceedings is presented in both English and French. (JMB)