Understanding Domestic Violence
The following resources represent a selection of current and credible information that is available on domestic violence and seek to answer the question, “Is domestic violence preventable?” This resource list is not intended to be comprehensive or reflect the breadth and depth of materials publicly accessible.
Resources are divided into the follow categories: General Information About Domestic Violence; Fact Sheets, Domestic Violence Research & Statistics, and Additional Domestic Violence Information and Resources.
General Information About Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence: Understanding the Basics by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and VAWnet, the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women (December 2012)
This 1 hour interactive eLearning module describes the dynamics and common tactics that characterize domestic violence, provides an overview of the scope and impact on individuals and society, explores the underlying factors that allow domestic violence to exist, offers insight into the various risks and choices that survivors face, and shares how to be part of the solution. Divided into 10 sections addressing common questions related to domestic violence, this course will help new advocates, allied professionals, students, and the general public achieve a basic understanding of this complex issue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Violence by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (n.d.)
These Frequently Asked Questions address the following:
What is domestic violence?
What are resources are available for victims?
Why do victims sometimes return to or stay with abusers?
Do abusers show any potential warning signs?
Is it possible for abusers to change?
Are men victims of domestic violence?
How does the economy affect domestic violence?
What can I do to help?
Fact Sheets
Get the Facts and Figures by the National Domestic Violence Hotline (n.d.)
This webpage presents statistics on domestic violence, compiled from various sources. Scroll using the arrows provided at the top right to view general statistics, sexual violence statistics, stalking statistics, statistics on children, on teens, and on violence in the workplace.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Fact Sheet (2 p.) by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (n.d.)
This fact sheet from NNEDV provides information and research on the incidence, prevalence, and severity of domestic and sexual violence.
Statistics on Violence Against API Women by the Asian and Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (n.d.)
This webpage provides statistics on rates of domestic violence, domestic violence related homicide, sexual violence, and stalking experienced by Asian and Pacific Islander women, as well as on children’s exposure to family violence.
Latinas and Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence Based Facts (15 p.) / Latinas y la Violencia en la Pareja Intima – Datos Basados en la Evidencia (17 p.) by the National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities, a project of Casa de Esperanza (2019)
While the number of studies examining intimate partner violence (IPV) in Latin@ populations is growing, research on this issue continues to be limited in quality and breadth. This document from the National Latin@ Network compiles and summarizes key research on this topic. Available in English and Spanish.
Intimate Partner Violence in the Black Community (2 p.) by Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community (October 2018)
This fact sheet presents statistics on intimate partner violence, intimate partner homicides, and stalking in Black communities.
StrongHearts Native Helpline Fact Sheet (2 p.) by StrongHearts Native Helpline ( 2018)
This fact sheet from StrongHearts offers information on the experiences of Native survivors of intimate partner violence.
LGBT DV Beyond the Wheel: Tactics of Abuse (1 p.) by the NW Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse (n.d.)
This resource page describes tactics of abuse experienced by the LGBT Community, including isolation and outing, using vulnerabilities, using children, using small communities, leveraging institutional violence/isolation, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Policy Insights Brief: Statistics on Violence Against Native Women (8 p.) by the NCAI Policy Research Center (February 2013)
In this Policy Insights Brief, the NCAI Policy Research Center synthesizes available data on violence against Native women to guide policy decision-making and media reporting. This brief aims to provide detail on previously reported statistics and original sources of data used often in policy discussions.
Five Things About Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men by the National Institute of Justice (May 2016)
This fact sheet outlines key statistics on the prevalence of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men.
The Facts on Health Care and Domestic Violence (4 p.) by Futures Without Violence (n.d.)
In addition to the immediate trauma caused by abuse, domestic violence contributes to a number of chronic health problems. This fact sheet outlines the prevalence of domestic violence and its consequences, addresses particular concerns around pregnancy and children’s health, and offers strategies to help healthcare providers to identify domestic violence.
The Facts on Reproductive Health and Partner Abuse (3 p.) by Futures Without Violence (n.d.)
This fact sheet from Futures Without Violence outlines key reproductive health concerns related to intimate partner violence, including sexual and reproductive coercion, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and violence during pregnancy, and offers strategies for decreasing and preventing violence and reproductive coercion.
The Facts on Children’s Exposure to Violence (4 p.) by Futures Without Violence (2015)
Although the prevalence of children’s exposure to violence is overwhelming, there is clear evidence that simple solutions can help children to heal and thrive. This fact sheet from Futures Without Violence outlines the prevalence of children’s exposure to violence, discusses the health consequences of this exposure, and explores strategies for promoting resilience.
20 Facts for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (10 p.) by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
This fact sheet from the the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges discusses the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment and offers key information on the child custody and child welfare systems.
Preventing Intimate Partner Violence (2 p.) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018)
This fact sheet from the CDC describes the prevalence and consequences of intimate partner violence and offers strategies for prevention.
Is Domestic Violence Preventable? (2 p.) by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
This fact sheet from NRCDV offers talking points on the primary prevention of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Research & Statistics
Domestic Violence Counts Report: 13th Annual Census Report (20 p.) by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (2019)
This annual census “documents the number of individuals who sought services in a single 24-hour period, as well as the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet due to a lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs face as they strive to provide services to victims of domestic violence. This report is instrumental in raising awareness about domestic violence and the incredible work that local domestic violence programs do every day.”
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) Resource Page by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (Updated April 2017)
This VAWnet resource page features information and resources related to the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). Developed by CDC's Injury Center, NISVS was initiated in 2010 to collect accurate and reliable incidence and prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking victimization. Data was released in October 2011, drawing important attention to these issues and creating opportunities to advance our intervention and prevention efforts.
Facts and Stats Report: Domestic Violence in Asian & Pacific Islander Homes by the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (Updated 2015)
This updated publication from the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence raises awareness about the experiences of Asian victims/survivors of domestic violence and, given a smaller data set, about Pacific Islanders; counters denial about the problem; emphasizes the need for socio-culturally effective prevention and intervention; and serves to guide future research and inform public policy.
Meeting Survivors' Needs Study Resource Page by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
This page includes all available resources from the Meeting Survivors' Needs Research Project of the The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) and the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Reports document how well local domestic violence programs (both residential and non-residential) are addressing the needs of those reaching out to them for assistance.
Research In Brief - Meeting Survivors' Needs: A Multi-State Study of Domestic Violence Shelter Experiences (4 p.)
Key Findings and Frequently Asked Questions - Meeting Survivors' Needs through Non-Residential Domestic Violence Services & Supports: Results of a Multi-State Study (6 p.)
Apples to Oranges: Comparing Survey Findings from Selected National Surveys on Intimate Partner Violence (5 p.) by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
This "crib sheet" examines key aspects of the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), and the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS), including the timeframe of data collection, the study sample, key findings, methodology and contextual factors. Links to the studies and related resources are also included.
Preventing Intimate Partner Violence Across the Lifespan: A Technical Package of Programs, Policies, and Practices by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017)
This technical package from the CDC is a compilation of a core set of strategies that are deemed likely to reduce the overall incidence of intimate partner violence based on the best available evidence. Organized by three components, strategy, approach and evidence, this collection was designed to help communities make informed decisions and prioritize their efforts.
The Difference Between Surviving and Not Surviving: Public Benefits Programs and Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims’ Economic Security (52 p.) by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (January 2018)
For domestic violence and sexual assault victims, the public benefits programs that support basic economic security are of critical importance.
Enhanced Services to Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence: Promising Practices and Lessons Learned by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (May 2012)
This Special Collection provides lessons learned and related resources from nine HHS-funded 3-year demonstration projects to enhance services to children and youth who have been exposed to domestic violence.
Additional Domestic Violence Information & Resources
VAWnet: The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women
VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, is home to thousands of materials on violence against women and related issues, with particular attention to its intersections with various forms of oppression. Topics include domestic violence, sexual violence, funding, research, and international issues. News, announcements, and events related to the work of the movement and related fields of practice are also posted to VAWnet, as well as comprehensive lists of resources organized into Special Collections and peer-reviewed Applied Research Papers.
Domestic Violence Awareness Project
The Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAP) supports the rights of all individuals, especially women and girls, to live in peace and dignity. Violence and all other forms of oppression against all communities and families must be eliminated. The purpose of the DVAP is to support and promote national, tribal, territorial, state, and local advocacy networks in their ongoing public education efforts through public awareness, strategies, materials, resources, capacity-building, and technical assistance.
PreventIPV
A project of the IPV Prevention Council, PreventIPV provides an opportunity to create and sustain a unified national prevention effort by promoting strategies, tools, and lessons learned by state/territory and community-based prevention programs across the United States. The PreventIPV.org online space offers peer-driven resources and tools to help build the capacity of domestic violence programs to engage communities in the social change work that is necessary to promote a thriving culture where all relationships are built on respect, equality, and peace.
National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence
For almost two decades, the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence (HRC) at Futures Without Violence has supported health care professionals, domestic violence advocates, survivors and policy makers at all levels as they improve health care’s response to domestic violence. The HRC offers personalized, expert technical assistance, online toolkits for health care providers and DV advocates to prepare a clinical practice to address domestic and sexual violence, a free E-bulletin and webinar series, and other resources.
Promising Futures
Promising Futures Capacity Building Center, a project of Futures Without Violence, provides support on enhancing services for children, youth and their abused parents impacted by domestic violence. The Center provides support to build organizational structures and services that prioritize child well-being, opportunities for healing, building resilience, and breaking the intergenerational cycle of violence all within the context of the parent-child relationship.
LoveIsRespect
Operated by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the purpose of LoveIsRespect is to engage, educate and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. Highly trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships and who want to learn more about healthy relationships.