A January 1984 national television movie about incest generated over 3,000 letters to the NCPCA, documenting cases of child sexual abuse. Growing awareness of the child abuse problem over the last decade has produced extensive responses. However, most of the responses deal with cases which have already occurred. A more pressing need is for programs to prevent child abuse. Although research is scanty, some data indicate that prevention strategies can have a significant effect and that the best approach is a multifaceted one which addresses the needs of parents, children, and families at every phase of the family life cycle. The effort should also be community-based or otherwise adapted to the values, norms, mores, and resources of a given neighborhood, community, or population group. The efforts should include support programs for new parents, parent education, and early and regular child and family screening and treatment. Also included should be child care opportunities, programs for abused children and young adults, life-skills training for children and young adults, self-help groups and other neighborhood supports, and family support services. Additional programs should be support through the workplace and public information and education on child abuse prevention. The $2 billion spent to respond to the problem after the fact should be matched with a comparable effort in prevention. The NCPCA is committed to reducing child abuse 20 percent nationwide by the end of the decade. Three references are listed.