This article examines the links between child abuse and domestic violence, discusses aspects of the inter-relationship between the two forms of violence, and identifies issues in professional assessment and management of suspected child abuse cases. The author draws on some of the results from a recently completed study which involved the tracking of suspected child abuse cases over a period of six months in Victoria. The project was designed as an evaluation of the decision making of the various professionals involved in the management of suspected child abuse cases. The aim was to map a child protection system for a period of six months. The study's results found that 22.4 percent of the cases of suspected child abuse cases collected, were reported by professionals as having occurred in families where domestic violence was present. With regard to the sexual abuse cases, an important finding was that 19.4 percent of child sexual abuse cases also involved the child being physically abused; and that 17 percent of these cases were reported to be occurring in families not identified as violent. Using the results of the study the author discusses the following themes: the extent of domestic violence present in families suspected of child abuse, suspected child sexual abuse and occurrence of domestic violence, and the redefinition of physical abuse cases as emotional abuse or neglect.