Implementing strategies to prevent violence in all forms before it occurs, including early intervention programs, education campaigns, and community partnerships are encouraged.
For more information regards women and violence prevention strategies...
According to the CDC, a growing body of evidence has discovered that early intervention is the key to preventing future involvement in violent relationships for perpetrators as well as victims.
There are several interventions proven to be effective, says the CDC. These include:
Strengthening financial security in the household. Financial insecurity increases the risk of IPV (intimate partner violence) —lack of money to support the family commonly predisposes the victim to stay in the abusive relationship. This is due to the lack of the ability to afford the expense of moving or paying for household expenses on the victim's own. Programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could be of assistance.
Work-family support programs. Employers that offer policies such as maternity leave and sick leave for parents with ill children can help lower the incidence of IPV. Maternity leave has been found to increase the likelihood of women maintaining long-term employment. This helps victims of domestic abuse increase the household income. In addition, women who delay working after childbirth are less likely to suffer from depression than those who return from maternity leave sooner.
Programs that support survivors. Addressing some of the negative outcomes of IPV (sexually transmitted diseases, chronic pain, depression, substance abuse, PTSD, and more) have been found to be effective in lowering rates of IPV. Children in families impacted by domestic violence are also at risk for depression, anxiety, and other emotional disorders. Survivors need help for everything from treating physical and emotional disorders, to getting support for housing instability in order to prevent future risk of domestic abuse. Two pieces of legislation created to address these needs are The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.
Prevention, education and screening programs. IPV screening, education, and intervention have been shown to decrease the risk of domestic violence. These programs have been shown to have positive potential outcomes for survivors of IPV and their children. Other interventions shown to lower the prevalence of IPV are domestic violence centers, family housing programs and first responder programs that intervene with domestic violence in the family.
The potential benefits of IPV prevention programs include:
Housing stability
Increase in physical safety
Reduction of future IPV experiences
Reduction of PTSD, depression, and anxiety
Improvement in positive parenting skills
Decrease in verbal and physical aggression among the children of IPV survivors
Reduction of homicide incidence resulting from IPV
Higher birth weights and improvement in other pregnancy outcomes for women
Reductions in the rate of reproductive coercion and unplanned pregnancy