Creating and maintaining a safe, nonviolent community is an important part of supporting children, youth, and families in preventing child abuse and neglect. Find resources and strategies to help reduce violence in the community.
- State and local examples
Communities Working Together to Help Children Exposed to Violence: Findings From Phase I of the Safe Start Initiative (PDF - 340 KB)
Safe Start Center & Safe Start Promising Approaches Program (2011)
Presents findings from Phase 1 of the Safe Start Initiative in which practitioners in the demonstration communities formed cross-disciplinary partnerships that responded to children exposed to violence at all points along the continuum of care (prevention, intervention, treatment, response) by screening for children exposed to violence, referring them to services, providing intervention and treatment services, and following up to ensure service linkages.
Family Violence Prevention: A Toolkit for Stakeholders
National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families & Center for Family Policy and Practice (2013)
View Abstract and Document
Provides a toolkit with information and resources to assist stakeholders in incorporating domestic violence and child maltreatment awareness into service provision, including information that will increase service providers' understanding of these issues and will also help them identify other beneficial resources or referrals in the community that may support their efforts to institute healthy relationship policies and practices.
Orientation to Violence Prevention & Scope of the Problem
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (2011)
Offers a series of short, self-directed online learning modules as an introduction to violence prevention. Includes a printable outline and a glossary.
Preventing Violence: A Review of Research, Evaluation, Gaps, and Opportunities. Revised February 2015
Moore, Stratford, Caal, Hanson, Hickman, Temkin, et al. (2015)
Child Trends
Summarizes a review of research and evaluation studies, as well as promising and proven interventions, to identify programs, policies, and practices that can contribute to reducing high levels of violence in the United States. The report discusses individual, family, school, and community factors related to violence and provides recommendations for programs and policies by age range.
Promoting Adolescent Behavioral Adjustment in Violent Neighborhoods: Supportive Families Can Make a Difference!
McKelvey, Conners-Burrow, Mesman, Pemberton, & Casey (2015)
Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 44(1)
View Abstract
Explores the findings of a study examining moderating effects of family cohesion on the relationship between community violence and child internalizing and externalizing problems at age 18.
Protective Factors Associated With Resilient Functioning in Young Adulthood After Childhood Exposure to Violence
Howell & Miller-Graff (2014)
Child Abuse and Neglect, 38(12)
View Abstract
Examines the role of social support, spirituality, and emotional intelligence in promoting resilience during emerging adulthood for college-age students that experienced childhood violence, including community violence, interpersonal aggression, child maltreatment, peer/sibling victimization, and/or sexual assault. The findings present an insight on how functioning may be improved by both individual and environmental factors.
Safe Start Center
Offers information on emerging practices and research to implement effective policy and practice interventions to minimize the impact of exposure to violence on children and their families. Includes information on the Safe Start Initiative.
Take Action
Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere (STRYVE)
Offers an online workspace where individuals, groups, organizations, and leaders in the community can collaborate to prevent youth violence. Resources on the site include State and local examples.
Urban Networks to Increase Thriving Youth (UNITY) Through Violence Prevention
Prevention Institute
Promotes collaboration across public and private sectors to maximize resources, ensure sustainability, and encourage effectiveness to prevent violence before it occurs. UNITY wants urban youth to thrive in safe environments with supportive relationships and opportunities for success.
VetoViolence
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013)
Presents Violence Educational Tools Online (VETO), an evolving resource for individuals committed to violence prevention that provides free accredited training; resources for program planning, implementation, and evaluation; and success stories featuring existing programs and strategies.
Violence Exposure in Young Children: Child-Oriented Routines as a Protective Factor for School Readiness
David, LeBlanc, & Self-Brown (2015)
Journal of Family Violence, 30(8)
View Abstract
Discusses how daily, child-oriented routines moderated the association between exposure to violence and school readiness in preschool-aged children. The article presents findings and opportunities for research.
Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability
World Health Organization
Includes numerous resources on violence prevention activities around the world, including policy development and capacity building.