Detailed examination of evaluated community programs for the prevention of physical child abuse and neglect shows that effectiveness depends on matching the skills of the staff to the needs of the families involved. The relative inefficiency of risk screening and attrition from prevention programs argues for comprehensive as well as focused aspects of programs and variation in what is available. Sexual abuse prevention programs have usually been implemented in schools, but are more successful when the focus includes bullying and when children and parents are also actively involved. This is also true of bullying prevention programs. In establishing risk for abuse, more effective methods are required to assess aspects of family life that are not readily observable, including involved but nonresident adult males. It is important not only to approach abuse prevention by intervening in a variety of ways and at various points in the network of processes within and around the family, but also to find cost-effective ways of sustaining prevention efforts. 2 tables and 48 references