Prevention Programs, Interpersonal Violence

Violence is the threatened or actual use of physical force against another person, against oneself, or against a group or community that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, or deprivation. Interpersonal violence encompasses the many forms of violence that take place between and against people, including child and elder abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and homicide. Individuals [Page 543]and families rarely experience violence as an isolated incident. Different forms of violence often coexist within the same home or community. Violence not only takes a toll on victims, but it also has effects on family, friends, and community members. At the community level, violence can undermine business prosperity and property values and can reduce neighborhood vitality. Preventing violence improves quality of life by reducing risk of injury, improving health outcomes, reducing further deterioration of communities, empowering residents, and acting as a cost-saving measure for communities over the long term.

Interpersonal violence is a learned behavior that can be unlearned or not learned in the first place. Violence has multiple and complex underlying factors that include but are not limited to poverty, unemployment, discrimination, substance abuse, educational failure, fragmented families, internalized shame, and felt pow-erlessness. Violence prevention is a comprehensive and multifaceted effort to address these underlying factors. Efforts build on resiliency in individuals, families, and communities. Violence prevention is distinct from violence containment or suppression. Violence prevention efforts contribute to empowerment, educational and economic progress, and improved life management skills while fostering healthy communities in which people can grow in dignity and safety. Prevention efforts realign institutions to be more inclusive and receptive in responding to community needs.

Despite its preventable nature, interpersonal violence is often seen as intractable because its prevention is rarely approached with the level of commitment and attention required for long-term success. No single program can address the magnitude or all the causes of violence, but effective programs can contribute to an overall solution. As a complex problem, violence requires a comprehensive solution involving the participation of multiple stakeholders.