Child protection programs are still necessary and have been broadening their focus. Mandatory reporting should be part of any child protection program, and should apply to all relevant professionals. Protection efforts are not sufficient by themselves, however. Broad prevention efforts are also required. The proposed national organization would have three types of responsibilities: (1) research on the incident of the problem, (2) education of all people involved and concerned about child abuse, (3) development of prevention programs. The committee should consider adopting some of the innovative prevention programs presented in 1985 at the Seventh National Conference on Child Abuse in the United States. These programs included a child abuse prevention month, awareness campaigns, support systems for teenage mothers, and children's and family trust funds. The national committee would be composed of professionals, the business community, and voluntary or community representatives. Only a national commitment to action and to measurement of the problem will reduce the incidence and severity of child abuse in Australia. 11 references.