Domestic & Sexual Violence

Too many people are not safe in their home, on their campus, or in their community or workplace because of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, trafficking or harassment:

• About 41% of women and 26% of men experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, according to the CDC.
• Violence starts early and continues throughout people’s lives. About 1 in 5 girls, and 1 in 10 boys, experience physical and/or sexual violence in their intimate relationships.
• Domestic or dating violence is about power and control. It goes beyond physical violence and can include economic abuse, reproductive coercion, verbal abuse and online stalking.

Domestic and sexual violence affect almost every family, every community, and every sector of our society in some way – but these are problems we can prevent. At Futures Without Violence, we pioneered some of the programs and strategies that helped reduce domestic violence by 60% over the past 30 years. That’s one of the greatest public health successes in our country’s history.

We did it by taking domestic violence and sexual abuse out of the shadows. Helping build broad consensus that we need to stop this violence. Changing attitudes and social norms. Creating powerful partnerships with health care providers, educators, judges, business leaders, athletic coaches, and others. Convincing our government to invest in prevention. 

But our work isn’t nearly done – and continuing the progress will take all of us, working together. You can help. Learn more about the issue. Explore and share the tools on this website. Stay informed. Help us demand better public policies and more resources. Help us drive conversations about healthy relationships, on- and off-line. Join us in stopping violence and making our homes and communities – and our country – safe.