Ending the Cycle: Effective Prevention Strategies for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the U.S.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is widespread, affecting millions in the United States every year. Data from the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate the following:

        •       About 41% of women and 26% of men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported a related impact.

        •       Over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

IPV often begins early and can persist throughout a person’s life. When IPV occurs during adolescence, it is referred to as teen dating violence. Approximately 16 million women and 11 million men who reported experiencing IPV said they first encountered it before the age of 18.

While violence affects people from all backgrounds, some individuals and communities face a higher risk due to social and structural inequities. Youth from marginalized groups, such as sexual and gender minorities, are more vulnerable to experiencing sexual and physical dating violence.

This table outlines various prevention strategies and corresponding approaches to reduce partner violence and promote safe, healthy relationships. Here’s a summary of the strategies and their approaches:

        1.      Teach safe and healthy relationship skills:

        •       Social-emotional learning programs for youth: Teach youth how to manage emotions, set goals, and establish healthy interpersonal relationships.

        •       Healthy relationship programs for couples: Provide education and skills to foster mutual respect, communication, and conflict resolution.

        2.      Engage influential adults and peers:

        •       Men and boys as allies in prevention: Involve men and boys in addressing harmful behaviors and promoting equality.

        •       Bystander empowerment and education: Train individuals to recognize and intervene in potentially harmful situations.

        •       Family-based programs: Strengthen family support systems to prevent violence.

        3.      Disrupt the developmental pathways toward partner violence:

        •       Early childhood home visitation: Provide support to families early on to prevent violence and improve child development outcomes.

        •       Preschool enrichment with family engagement: Foster early learning environments that engage families in the development of positive behaviors.

        •       Parenting skill and family relationship programs: Teach positive parenting and relationship-building skills to reduce risk factors for violence.

        •       Treatment for at-risk children, youth, and families: Offer targeted interventions to individuals at higher risk of perpetrating or experiencing violence.

        4.      Create protective environments:

        •       Improve school climate and safety: Develop safe and supportive school environments to prevent violence.

        •       Improve organizational policies and workplace climate: Foster positive workplace cultures and policies that reduce violence and harassment.

    •       Modify the physical and social environments of neighborhoods: Enhance community safety and reduce violence through environmental and social improvements.

        5.      Strengthen economic supports for families:

        •       Strengthen household financial security: Provide economic resources and support to reduce financial stress and related violence.

        •       Strengthen work-family supports: Improve policies that help families balance work and home responsibilities.

        6.      Support survivors to increase safety and lessen harms:

        •       Victim-centered services: Provide tailored services that prioritize the needs and safety of survivors.

        •       Housing programs: Ensure safe housing options for survivors of violence.

        •       First responder and civil legal protections: Equip first responders and legal systems to better protect survivors.

        •       Patient-centered approaches: Offer medical care that is sensitive to the needs of survivors.

        •       Treatment and support for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV): Provide long-term care and resources, including for survivors of teen dating violence.