Abstract:
Domestic violence occurs across many levels of society. Usually the focus has been on individual victims and batterers after the violence has happened. A new approach sees the violence as a preventable public health problem. The focus moves away from the abused and abuser to the larger community. It stresses educating people about beliefs and behaviors that lead to domestic violence, as well as those that keep it from happening. The program targets groups and settings where anti-violence strategies can be most effective. Pilot projects are aimed at children, men, adolescents, and communities of color because research has shown they are most at risk.