A student research team surveyed by phone 300 randomly sampled residents of Butte County in Northern California in Spring 1984 on attitudes, stereotypes, and beliefs about child abuse. Prior to the survey, several local and state cases of physical and sexual child abuse had received widespread and dramatic media coverage. Although reported sexual abuse cases have doubled, physical abuse is the most widely recognized form of child maltreatment and sexual abuse is the least. The presence of a child in the home of the reporter is the most significant factor in suspecting and reporting child abuse. Gender is highly significant with males recognizing sexual abuse and recognizing males as the likely perpetrators; females, especially those married and having children, are the least likely to recognize sexual abuse and males as the likely perpetrators. Females were aware of emotional abuse and of anyone as a potential abuser. Recommendations for community education programs are made.