Prevention of family violence must begin in the community, with people who care enough about others to turn their concern into action. This family violence prevention handbook provides useful information which will help individuals become more sensitive to the early warning signs of violence and more knowledgeable about legal responsibility. The handbook will also help readers provide help for those in an abusive situation and raise public awareness about the problem. Sections of the handbook provide an overview of family violence, guidelines on child abuse and neglect reporting, and discussions of spouse abuse and of abuse and neglect of the elderly and handicapped. State resources available in North Carolina are listed. (RH)