Prevention Information

In communities all across the country, domestic violence and sexual assault traumatize victims, endanger children and harm families. Over the last 30 years, and as a result of the women’s movement, laws have been enacted to hold abusers and batterers accountable and victim services have been implemented.

Due to the “newness” of society’s awareness of and willingness to do something about these problems, early efforts have focused on crisis intervention, providing services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, and holding abusers and batterers accountable. To date, little is known about how to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.

Preventing domestic violence and all forms of sexual assault requires addressing complex issues with comprehensive approaches. It involves addressing the underlying causes of both problems and using strategies and approaches known to be effective in addressing those causes.

There are very few research-based strategies that have been shown, through the application of rigorous and repeatable scientific studies, to provide promising preventive outcomes. Many theories exist, but experts are still trying to understand what works to help young people grow up without the need to sexually assault others or to exert power and control over those they love.

Increasing numbers of researchers are interested in studying these problems, as more federal and private funding is made available. It is through this research that promising practices and newly emerging ideas may lead us, someday, to a community free from these problems.

In the meantime, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention program at the Seattle Human Services Department has made the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault a top priority. In addition to funding several promising prevention-related programs, such as teaching teens healthy relationship skills, we are guiding the City’s efforts in policy and program development in these areas. The 2007 allocation for prevention programs was $74,000 and the 2008 allocation is $77,000.

2008 Funded Agencies and Programs

• Asian Counseling and Referral Service’s Teen Peer Advocate Program addresses the needs of a critically underserved population through community based prevention services led by Asian Pacific American young women.
• The YWCA East Cherry Branch Teen Peer Advocate Program helps youth of color gain the knowledge, interpersonal skills, and confidence they need to foster healthy intimate partner relationships and avoid dating and domestic violence.
• The Northwest Network's Queer Youth Community Engagement Project works with LBTGQ young people (ages 15-21) through a variety of programs and activities to strengthen community connections, support safety and accountability in those relationships, learn about healthy relationship skills and incorporate issues of domestic violence in other youth community agendas.

Information

For more information, call the Seattle Human Services Department’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention program at 206-233-2774, or e-mail endviolence@seattle.gov.

For more information about our partners and other programs and services, visit:

• King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• King County Sexual Assault Resource Center