Since the early 1960's, when Dr. C. Henry Kempe coined the term 'the battered child syndrome' and revealed the prevalence of child abuse atrocities, public action and private-sector initiatives have advanced the public's knowledge and focused response to child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse. Despite a backlash based in some well-publicized false reports of child sexual abuse, public concern about child abuse has persisted in legislative activity at the Federal and State levels. By the mid-1980's the Nation had awakened to the child abuse problem. This has included a groundswell of interest in prevention. For the future, the public should be made fully aware of the child abuse problem, its implications, prevention, and what individuals can do to make a difference. This will require more knowledge about how best to prevent abuse and the development of effective formats for presenting this knowledge to the public. Children's trust funds and other funding methods must ensure the availability of prevention activities in all States. Comprehensive prevention services must ensure that all parents and all children receive preventive education. There should be a nationwide network of concerned citizens that involves all interested persons, groups, and organizations. 23 readings.