20 Actionable Ways for Domestic Violence Prevention

The United Nations organization defines domestic/intimate partner violence as: 

“A pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.” 

The UN, which leads calls for domestic violence prevention, has set aside November 25 of every year as the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.”

Domestic violence is a topic that demands our attention and collective efforts. While the issue itself is undoubtedly serious, exploring effective ways of domestic violence prevention opens up avenues for positive change. 

The impact of domestic violence on individuals and society 

Domestic violence casts a dark shadow on the lives of individuals and ripples through the fabric of our society, leaving lasting scars that go beyond the confines of the home. 

On an individual level, the impact of domestic violence is profound. Victims often endure physical and emotional wounds that can persist long after the immediate abuse ends. 

Beyond the visible bruises, the emotional toll can lead to anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of self-worth. For children who witness domestic violence, the trauma can affect their emotional and social development, setting the stage for a cycle that may perpetuate through generations.

At the societal level, the consequences are equally significant. Domestic violence strains healthcare systems, as victims may require medical attention for injuries or mental health support. 

The workplace also feels the repercussions, with productivity and employee well-being affected. Moreover, domestic violence contributes to a broader culture of fear and insecurity, hindering the pursuit of happiness and the potential for a thriving, compassionate society.

The importance of domestic violence prevention

Preventing domestic violence isn’t just a goal; it’s a lifeline for countless individuals. It’s about creating homes where love, respect, and safety reign supreme. 

When we stop abuse before it starts, we save lives and preserve the well-being of families. It’s not only a personal triumph but a societal one, too. 

Domestic violence prevention means healthier communities, stronger workplaces, and a culture of kindness. By understanding the importance of prevention, we empower ourselves to break the cycle, ensuring that every home becomes a sanctuary where everyone can flourish without fear.

20 actionable ways to prevent domestic violence

Domestic violence does not see gender. A toxic and insecure partner will exert violence, irrespective of the gender they belong to. But here are 20 ways to prevent domestic violence from the women’s and men’s perspectives.

1. Education

Awareness is the most important among the preventive measures of domestic violence.

Educational training can help you learn how to stop domestic violence and teach you about the violation of women’s rights and violations of men’s rights.  It will also let you figure out how to help an abused woman or man, among others. 

Low literacy has also been identified as a factor that negatively affects domestic violence prevention efforts.

This is because poorly educated people tend to be economically less productive and thus have less bargaining power in the family. Thus, quality education may be one of the most efficient ways to stop violence against any gender.

2. Observe the law

Even if you are the head of your partnership or family, that does not necessarily be a license for domestic abuse or violence. You need to understand that many countries have legal measures for domestic violence prevention. 

Some common measures include subjecting the abuser to rehabilitation programs as well as sanctions like fines and community service, among others. If implemented well these measures will be highly prolific for domestic violence prevention.

 3. Tolerance

Being more resilient is one of the strategies to reduce domestic violence around you.

A perfect human being does not exist. To keep a relationship going, both parties must exhibit maturity and learn to tolerate each other’s imperfections. 

Tolerance can be one of the best domestic violence prevention strategies. When there is tolerance, violence rarely results in a home. Tolerance should also extend to children, domestic servants, and other members of the household.

4. Obtain consent

Consent is your answer when you ask how to avoid domestic violence of any possible type.

To prevent domestic violence, both partners must obtain each other’s consent before taking certain actions, e.g., having sex. 

Though both partners should be readily available for one another, this may not be the case sometimes. Instead of coercion and violence, the man or woman should display restraint and understanding.

Everyone must learn to treat others the right way and understand that marital rape and coercion can constitute a violation of women’s rights or men’s rights. Though there is an impression that women are always the victims of sexual abuse, men also suffer abuse.

5. Respect religious teachings

All major religions extol virtues such as love, peace, kindness, and faithfulness among others. These could be used as effective solutions to stop domestic violence in and around your home.

Adhering to these religious exhortations will go a long way to stop domestic violence in your relationship. Almost all religions of the world explain who can be a victim of abuse and how to prevent it, which clearly helps in domestic violence prevention.

Christianity teaches that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child. 

But this should not be interpreted as an explicit incitement of domestic violence against children. Rather than being brutalized, as is sometimes the case, children who err should be punished rationally and not disproportionately.

6. Promote gender equality

However, there are cultures in the world where women always have the upper hand, and men are forced to submit. All domestic violence strategies and ways of preventing domestic violence must recognize that men are also prone to abuse. It is very common to associate domestic violence with men. 

However, the US-based National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) estimates that 1 in 4 men have been subjected to some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.

This lack of commensurate attention to the plight of male domestic abuse victims has led to the demand for a day for the elimination of violence against men. The organization also observes that violence by intimate partners is the most common form of violence.

According to the NCADV, LGBTQ members have equal or even higher chances of being subjected to domestic violence than heterosexuals. Despite this, most domestic violence awareness movements focus on heterosexual relationships.

For domestic violence prevention, society must, therefore, evolve more ways to guard against disrespecting members, especially in marriages and other relationships.

7. Dialogue

Humans tend to exhibit animalistic tendencies sometimes. In relationships, intolerance, anger, and a vile temper can often degenerate into domestic violence. Tolerance and dialogue remain one of the most feasible solutions to domestic violence.

8. Professional help

There are so many professionals out there with knowledge of how to help an abused person. There’s no limitation on reaching out to them for measures to control domestic violence.

If you are a person experiencing any form of violence at home or in your workplace, then you may consider relevant professionals for health, legal, psychological, or any other form of advice.

9. Engage in productive activity

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If you are an unemployed man or woman, you may find that sitting at home all day can be very frustrating. For some men or women with spouses and children, such frustrations can lead to unnecessary domestic violence against each other and kids.

Finding work can help eliminate frustrations, keep you focused, and, most importantly, provide you with income to take care of yourself and your family.

10. Avoid bad company

Sociologists will often tell you that peer pressure has a strong influence on both young people and adults. If your peers include those who boast about their domestic violence exploits, then the chances are that you’ll soon adopt such habits.

11. Join groups that preach against domestic violence

If you’ve suffered from domestic violence at any time, then you may want to help stop domestic violence before it starts. You can achieve this by joining a group that provides help for abused women and men.

Such groups can offer you broader insight by helping to explain who can be a victim of abuse and how to prevent it, as well as equip you with other domestic violence prevention tips, which you can then share with others.

12. Physical exercise

Exercising is a great way to promote physical and mental well-being. It also acts as a stress releaser.

You may have a partner who has a habit of nagging and a high propensity to provoke. If such is the case, consider indulging in physical activities like taking a walk rather than descending on him/her and being accused of violence against women or men.

13. Being a problem solver

Being skilled in problem-solving can help prevent domestic violence.  

Problems at home or work can sometimes lead to violence. Individuals with high resilience and skills in human resource management may cope better in managing interpersonal relationships such as employees and marriages. Seeking help from some mediators will also help in the prevention of domestic violence.

14. Be strict but not violent

Maintaining relationships can sometimes require some steel. But this does not necessarily mean that you should bruise and batter your partner to submission. 

It’s not acceptable in a civilized world, and it spoils all the efforts made to stop violence against any gender. A person who is rigid in his or her thoughts will not be able to understand how to prevent domestic violence.

15. Show love and affection

Marriages and relationships can be very challenging. This is partly why there is a high rate of divorce cases all over the world. However, where there is a will, there’ll surely be a way. With love and genuine affection for each other, challenges like domestic violence can be handled.

16. Avoid infidelity

There’s a relationship between domestic violence and accusations of infidelity/sexual jealousy. Abuse or violence resulting from infidelity or allegations of infidelity is common between males and females. Being faithful to your partner can thus help in domestic abuse prevention.

17. Shun music and movies that promote sexual violence

Music and film regulatory agencies and censorship boards sometimes ban certain songs and movies for one reason or the other. 

This can also include tracks and movies that promote sexual and domestic violence and abuse. Listening to such songs or watching such movies can stimulate gender hatred and contempt and lead to domestic violence.

18. Adopt rules and home dispute resolution mechanisms

Managing a home with a spouse and kids can be a cumbersome and difficult task. Apart from dialogue, you may also need to come up with a set of rules and daily routines for every member of your home to follow. 

Punitive measures for offenders, especially the kids, should also be spelled out. These can be among the ways to prevent domestic violence, as rules in the household can lead to a peaceful and coherent life.

19. Talk to family members, trusted friends, colleagues, and relatives

Settling all problems between partners internally can be ideal. But sometimes, to prevent domestic violence, it may be necessary to confide in family members, friends, colleagues, relatives, and others. 

A study has shown that family and friends can help end domestic violence. If someone wants to learn how to help an abused woman or man, then discuss it with your trusted individuals, as they are the ones who will give you the most effective advice.

20. Walk away if it is not working

Sometimes, a marriage or some other relationship is not just meant to be. If you’ve tried every avenue and observed that both of you are not compatible, then rather than domestic violence and abuse, it may be more dignified to exit the relationship altogether. 

This will help both of you move on with your lives and try to explore new relationships while there is still time.

In the video below, Leslie Morgan Steiner talks about why domestic violence victims don’t walk away from the relationship and why is it necessary to shun the stereotype of keeping the secret of violence:

10 ways to support victims of domestic violence: How to be a good friend, neighbor, or colleague

Supporting victims of domestic violence is a powerful way to make a positive impact in your community. Whether you’re a friend, neighbor, or colleague, your understanding and assistance can be a lifeline for someone experiencing abuse.

Here are some simple and compassionate ways you can offer support

• Be a compassionate ear. Let them share their feelings without fear of criticism.
• Create an environment where they feel secure to open up about their experiences.
• Understand that decisions to stay or leave are complex. Respect their choices and offer support regardless.
• Learn about domestic violence to better comprehend their situation and needs.
• Consistent check-ins show you care. A simple “How are you?” can make a big difference.
• Recovery takes time. Be patient and let them dictate the pace of their healing journey.
• Assist with tasks like childcare, groceries, or transportation to make their daily life easier.
• Suggest counseling or support groups. Professional help can be invaluable.
• Respect their privacy. Keep any shared information confidential unless their safety is at risk.
• Foster an atmosphere of respect and kindness, both personally and in your community. Small acts collectively make a big impact. 

FAQs

Understanding domestic violence is crucial for creating a safe and supportive community. Here are answers to common questions about recognizing signs, identifying those at risk, and steps to take if you find yourself in an abusive situation.

• What are the major signs of domestic violence?

Signs include physical harm, emotional abuse, control tactics, and isolation. If someone you know shows these signs, offering support and intervention is vital.

• What are the different types of domestic violence?

Here are the four kinds of domestic violence:

• Physical abuse, e.g., beating, pushing
• Sexual abuse, e.g., sexual intercourse without consent
• Financial abuse, e.g., preventing a person from being employed
• Psychological/emotional abuse, e.g., threats, cursing, name-calling

Domestic abuse cuts across all ethnicities, ages, genders, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations. 

It can also be present in diverse relationships such as marriages and among those cohabiting, courting, or dating. People of all socioeconomic backgrounds and levels of education are not immune to domestic violence.

According to a survey, more than 1/3rd of women and 1/4 of men came across partner violence in their lifetime. 

• Who is at risk of domestic violence?

Anyone can be a victim, regardless of gender, age, or background. Recognizing that it can happen to anyone encourages a collective effort to prevent and address domestic violence.

• What can I do if I am experiencing domestic violence?

Reach out for help – confide in friends, family, or professionals. Create a safety plan, contact helplines, and consider seeking legal protection. Remember, you are not alone, and help is available.

Prevention is the need of the hour

Domestic violence is a topical challenge all over the world, and in this article, we mention some ways to prevent domestic violence. Though it mostly affects women and girls, men and boys are also not spared. 

The coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in the number of global domestic abuse/violence cases. The UN and others continue to call for a reduction in domestic violence. However, those calls seem to be falling on deaf ears for now.