In order to have a sufficiently high index of suspicion about elder abuse and neglect, child abuse and domestic violence, a knowledge base about the phenomena is clearly necessary. Education in the widest sense for health and social care professionals about elder abuse and neglect, child abuse and domestic violence is increasing with regular journal articles, media coverage and modular coverage now found on post basic training courses for health and social care professionals. However, it is suggested that the relative importance of a topic can be judged by its importance in the basic curricula of medical, nursing and social work qualifying courses. A survey of all medical schools and colleges, nursing colleges and university departments with qualifying studies in social work was conducted between April-September 1994. The aim was to ascertain the relative educational content in the curricula pertaining to elder abuse and neglect, child abuse, domestic violence, and generic family violence.