Domestic Violence Prevention: Methods And Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is domestic violence preventable?

Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence or dating violence, can be preventable, but maybe not in the sense you think. When we say that domestic violence is preventable, we in no way mean that the individual experiencing domestic violence is at fault or that he or she could have prevented the domestic attack. Rather, we mean to say that, on a larger scale, society can learn to condemn and prevent domestic violence. Furthermore, the perpetrator of violence may diagnose and treat any untreated mental health problems that could be causing the violent outbursts. 

To consider preventing domestic violence, let’s consider the most typical causes. Research suggests domestic violence may be caused by:

• Undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues or personality disorders on the part of the perpetrator
• A society that encourages inequality, such as a patriarchal family or culture that sees it as the role of the man to control his female partner
• The perpetrator experiences extreme jealousy and insecurity
• The abuser was raised in a household in which violence was normalized or even encouraged
• The abuser feels the need to control his or her partner

With those causes in mind, let’s consider the solutions.

Oftentimes, preventing intimate partner violence begins with workshops, courses, or therapy to help manage communication as a couple. According to the national resource center on domestic violence, one can also learn to manage emotions through these methods better to prevent domestic violence. 

If a society or country begins to notice domestic violence as a trend, with percentages of domestic abuse higher than other countries and societies, then social movements designed to bring attention to the problem, normalize speaking about it, and empowering survivors, can, over time, lead to effective social change. And, most importantly, changing a society begins in the home. By preventing and treating violence behind closed doors, an entire culture can change for the better. 

Before entering into a relationship, a person who experiences mental health problems should speak to a counselor or therapist and learn how to manage their symptoms before committing to a relationship that could potentially harm someone. Even without symptoms, anyone raised in a violent household should consider speaking to a counselor either online or in-person to talk about potential embedded trauma that they may not otherwise notice. 

When a relationship is healthy, all participants feel safe and secure. 

Individuals engaging in healthy relationships can take steps such as therapy and counseling at the beginning of a new relationship or throughout to bring awareness to the possibility of sexual violence and dating violence. 

Moreover, prevention programs exist to raise violence awareness and increase injury prevention in romantic and sexual relationships. To see specific resources and more information about intimate partner violence and how to prevent domestic violence and raise violence awareness, you can visit the page about awareness and prevention from the national resource center on domestic violence https://www.nrcdv.org/awareness. 

Please call the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 if you are experiencing any dating violence or observing dating violence happening to someone you know.

How can we prevent violence?

Preventing intimate partner violence, including sexual violence, is the first step to helping stop violence in domestic situations in your community. 

The key to violence prevention is awareness. 

You can visit the centers for disease control and prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/prevention.html to read more helpful information about what domestic violence and sexual violence can look like. 

Next, to prevent intimate partner violence, it is possible to learn and implement several strategies to help in any relationship. Here are some useful ways a community can help stop violence:

• Teaching emotional management strategies and healthy relationship skills- preventing intimate partner and sexual violence begins with teaching young people about emotional management and what a healthy relationship can look like. 
• Investing in safe, stable, and protective settings for children and families- the centers for disease control and prevention state that safe schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces dramatically reduce the risk of intimate partner violence. Families with financial security can also be safer from instances of domestic violence.
• Creating community prevention programs- support programs for individuals experiencing domestic violence and ally workshops and programs for family safety can help reduce the instances of national domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please use these prevention methods as soon as possible.

• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
• Call the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) National Sexual Assault Hotline for instances of sexual violence at 1-800-656-4673
• Visit the national resource center on the domestic violence website at https://www.nrcdv.org/

What is primary prevention in domestic violence?

Primary prevention in domestic violence (also known as intimate partner violence, dating violence, or sexual violence) is the act of violence and injury prevention before it even begins. 

The goal of primary prevention is to reduce or stop violence entirely. It works through concrete steps taken well in advance to increase injury prevention before it occurs. If proper primary prevention steps are taken, such as raising violence awareness and performing injury prevention in domestic situations, intimate partner violence cases can be dramatically reduced. To prevent domestic violence before it occurs, several steps can be taken. 

• Increasing funding for violence prevention programs in schools
• Aiding community members to create safer environments for anyone susceptible to violence
• Raising violence awareness
• Making hotlines such as the national domestic violence hotline widely available
• Increasing awareness of informative web pages on dating violence and sexual violence such as the national resource center on domestic violence and the centers for disease control and prevention
• Using domestic injury prevention methods among couples and families such as therapy 

These are methods to prevent domestic violence before it even occurs by increasing awareness and developing a safer home, work, and school environment. Decreasing instances of national domestic violence begin with primary prevention. By taking the time to learn about dating violence through trusted resources that teach primary prevention, such as the centers for disease control and prevention and the national resource center on domestic violence, we can reduce the likelihood of national domestic violence. 

How can we prevent partner violence?

Preventing intimate partner violence also referred to as dating violence, or sexual violence, begins with violence awareness. Intimate partner violence can occur in any unhealthy relationship, so it is extremely important to be aware of violence and injury prevention methods. The important thing to note is that preventing intimate partner violence is possible through many different methods. 

As a community:

• Violence awareness and emotional learning resources and programs for children
• Education about the bystander effect and how to be a better ally
• Programs oriented towards family health.
• Investing in school and workplace safety

As an individual or couple:

• Awareness of the national domestic violence hotline
• Research about injury prevention on the website for the centers for disease control and prevention and the national resource center on domestic violence
• Therapy to improve emotional management and communication skills

What are the 3 most common types of intimate partner violence?

According to disease control and prevention centers, there are four very common types of intimate partner violence.

• Sexual violence - This is a form of intimate partner violence when a partner forces you to into sexual acts that you do not consent to. It can also occur in situations in which a partner physically cannot consent. This could be due to the fact they are inebriated or asleep. Sexual violence can include rape, molestation, non-consensual sexting, or any non-consensual sex act. If you experience sexual violence, please call the national domestic violence hotline as soon as possible.
• Physical violence - This form of dating violence can include any form of physical force such as punching, slapping, or kicking to harm one’s partner. Injury prevention is key to avoiding this kind of intimate partner violence. Call the national domestic violence hotline if you experience any physical violence from an intimate partner.
• Stalking - Stalking is when an individual does not cease to give unwanted attention to another person. It can often cause fear or lead to other forms of violence and warrant further injury prevention methods. Even though a stalker may not be your partner, you can still call the national domestic violence hotline for help. 
• Psychological aggression - This form of dating violence is often very difficult to detect. It may involve either verbal or non-verbal communication to cause harm to a partner. Through words and non-physical actions, partners may not realize they need to take actions to prevent domestic violence in their own relationship. Be aware of this type of violence if you feel like your partner may be trying to take control over you or manipulate you with their words and call the national domestic violence hotline for help.

For more information on any of these common types of intimate partner violence, please visit the webpage at the centers for disease control and domestic violence prevention https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html and if you are experiencing any of the above, call the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233.