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Violence prevention
Author: Emily M. Parsons
Date: Jan. 30, 2023
From: Gale Health and Wellness Online Collection
Publisher: Gale, part of Cengage Group
Document Type: Topic overview
Length: 1,272 words

Full Text:
Violence of all types is a serious issue for many families, communities, and workplaces. Violence prevention strategies try to address
the root causes of violence and provide information for identifying and responding to potentially violent situations. These strategies
require various sectors to work together, including public health, education, health care, government, social services, media, law
enforcement, businesses, and housing.

Violence in the United States

In the United States, violence accounts for seven deaths per hour and countless more injuries and disabilities, according to the
National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Common types of violence include violent crime, domestic abuse, youth
violence, and other acts. Intimate partner violence affects over 10 million men and women every year, and child abuse affects 7.9
million children a year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Workplace violence caused over
20,790 nonfatal incidents and resulted in 453 deaths in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accidents and violence
from aggressive driving has increased over 500 percent between 2006 and 2015 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). In almost all cases of violence, certain vulnerable groups were at greater risk, including women, children,
people with disabilities, the elderly, religious minorities, people of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning
(LGBTQ+) individuals.

Workplace violence
Workplace violence affects all occupations, and it can come from both employees and clients. Workplace violence can include
threatening behaviors, verbal or written threats, verbal abuse, and physical attacks. It can also include harassment, although this is
sometimes considered separate from workplace violence. Violent acts can take place in the office, on the job site, or in any
professional situation, like a conference or client meeting. It can also take place at social events for work, such as the office holiday
party.

Preventing workplace violence involves developing appropriate administrative policies, a healthy workplace culture, and creating a
safe physical layout of a workplace. A company should develop a clear policy defining unacceptable behaviors and include examples.
They should communicate how to confidently report incidents and make it clear that there are no consequences for the reporting
employee. The process of investigating incidents should be outlined, as well as the actions an employer will take to discipline or
terminate a violent employee. The employer should also offer support to the employee reporting the incident and create a plan for
communicating risks to their fellow employees. Employees should also go through training about conflict management, emergency
training, and respectful behavior toward protected groups.

On a workplace design level, ensuring that the workplace is laid out so that employees are visible to others can prevent violence both
from the public and the other employees. Installing cameras, using codes or keycards to enter the building, and establishing physical
barriers between employees and customers can also protect employees. For jobs that require employees to go to someone's home,
such as healthcare and social workers, employees should have training in identifying exits and should check in with other staff
regularly throughout the day via a cellphone. They can also use emergency call buttons or be accompanied by security staff.
Management should ensure that cash is cleared out regularly and that drugs and valuables are locked up to reduce the risk of theft or
robbery.

Road rage
Road rage is a phenomenon where drivers become irrationally angry with other drivers or people on the road. It can lead to
dangerous behaviors like tailgating, threats, and even violence with firearms, and it can increase a driver's risk of getting into an
accident. The best strategy to prevent road rage is to be a courteous, safe, and defensive driver. This means using best practices
when driving—go the speed limit, follow all safe signs, be cautious when merging, and use the horn only for emergency situations. If
another driver is behaving aggressively, the best strategy is to let them pass without engaging in eye contact or returning aggressive
behavior. Many states have road rage hotlines where a person can report an aggressive driver.

For drivers who struggle with road rage, breathing exercises and listening to calming or entertaining subjects can often prevent road
rage before it starts. It is important to remember there are not just health concerns with elevated stress but also legal issues
associated with aggressive driving practices. Aggressive driving is a traffic violation, and when it escalates to threats or trying to run
someone off the road, it becomes a criminal offence.

Youth violence
Youth violence affects young people every day across the country. Homicide is the third leading cause of death for youth in the
United States, and the consequences of youth violence can extend to injury, disability, emotional trauma, lower quality of education,
incarceration, and economic struggles. Youth violence occurs typically between peers, and it can include bullying, threats, and gang
affiliation.

Preventing youth violence involves figuring out what is motivating violence in the first place. It may be trauma from an abusive home
or school environment, or it may be the cumulative pain of years of racism, sexism, poverty, or neglect. Strategies for prevention
involve addressing these issues at the source, while also providing youth with positive developmental opportunities. Educational and
governmental systems can ensure that children have access to quality education early in life and that their home life is safe and
nurturing. However, there is also the need for community groups to offer after-school programs, enrichment strategies, and necessary
adult mentoring. Many youth violence prevention strategies work best when young voices are included in decision making and youth
are given space to communicate their needs.

Domestic violence
Domestic violence, both by intimate partners and by caregivers, is a widespread issue. On average, intimate partner violence affects
1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men in the United States during their lifetime, and child abuse affects the lives of 7.9 million children.
According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, 1 in 4 homicides is related to domestic violence. Intimate partner violence
accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime. Domestic violence includes physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse, and it often
affects many generations in a family.

While domestic violence is a complex issue, prevention strategies typically target two fronts: preventing the stressors that can lead to
violence and providing victims of domestic violence a safe and confidential way to leave their abusers. Research has shown that
economic stress, substance misuse issues, and natural disasters can significantly increase the likelihood of child abuse and intimate
partner violence. The COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted many states to implement stay-at-home measures, is an example of a
stressful situation that may contribute to or exacerbate domestic violence. Ensuring adults and children get sufficient community
support can help break the cycle of violence. Engaging youth in recognizing and preventing domestic violence has been shown to not
only reduce the likelihood of fatal violence in the family but to reduce the likelihood of future violence. Children who grow up in
abusive or violent homes are nine times more likely to engage in criminal activity later in life.

The second focus of prevention strategies is to develop safe and confidential reporting systems and ensure that victims of domestic
violence receive adequate support. Many states have domestic violence helplines. This is important for preventing the escalation of
domestic violence. Taking domestic violence seriously in the justice system can also prevent repeat offences and encourage victims
to report.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers a free, confidential, 24-hour hotline that provides information and assistance in
English, Spanish, and via video for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. It can be reached at (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or TTY (800)
787-3224 or (206) 518-9361 (video phone only for deaf callers).

Resources
Websites

Abramson, Ashley. "How COVID-19 May Increase Domestic Violence and Child Abuse." American Psychological Association. April 8,
2020. https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/domestic-violence-child-abuse (accessed January 26, 2023).

"Child Maltreatment Statistics." American Society for the Positive Care of Children. https://americanspcc.org/child-maltreatment-
statistics/ (accessed January 26, 2023).

"Domestic Violence and Firearms." The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. July 2020. https://efsgv.org/learn/type-of-gun-
violence/domestic-violence-and-firearms (accessed January 26, 2023).

"Occupational Violence." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 31, 2022.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/fastfacts.html (accessed January 26, 2023).
Patrick, Wendy L. "What Causes Road Rage?" Psychology Today. June 10, 2021. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-
bad-looks-good/202106/what-causes-road-rage (accessed January 26, 2023).

"Statistics." National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. https://ncadv.org/statistics (accessed January 26, 2023).

Organizations

American Public Health Association, 800 I Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001, (202) 777-2742, https://www.apha.org/ .

Futures Without Violence, 100 Montgomery Street, The Presidio, San Francisco, CA, 94129, (415)-678-5500,
https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/ .

National Domestic Violence Hotline, PO Box 90249, Austin, TX, 78709, (737) 225-3150, https://www.thehotline.org/ .

Safe States Alliance, Injury and Violence Prevention Network, 5456 Peachtree Blvd., #244, Atlanta, GA, 30341, (770) 690-9000,
https://www.safestates.org/page/IVPN .

Source Citation (MLA 9th Edition)

Parsons, Emily M. "Violence prevention." Gale Health and Wellness Online Collection, Gale, 2022. Gale Health and Wellness,
link.gale.com/apps/doc/JATMFU505091594/HWRC?u=j079907011&sid=bookmark-HWRC&xid=381b4faa. Accessed 30 Dec.
2024.
Gale Document Number: GALE|JATMFU505091594