A National Review of Domestic Violence Service Agency Websites: Identifying Services for Community Prevention Approaches and People Who Use Violence

Background and Purpose: Community violence prevention requires a comprehensive approach that addresses community education and addresses those at risk of perpetrating violence. While many domestic violence agencies prioritize services for survivors, community prevention including engaging individuals who use violence is equally critical for long-term community safety and prevention. Public-facing resources, such as agency websites, shape public understanding of available services and prevention priorities. This study explored the extent to which domestic violence service agencies across the United States describe community violence prevention efforts within their online presence and services for individuals who perpetrate violence. The research questions guiding this study were: (1) What community-based violence prevention efforts are highlighted by these agencies nationwide? And (2) to what extent do domestic violence service agencies provide or publicize programming for individuals who use violence?

Methods:
A comprehensive review was conducted of U.S. state domestic violence coalition websites (N=51, including Washington D.C.) to identify affiliated service agencies in each state. Over 1,500 agency websites were screened for eligibility, focusing on those serving domestic violence survivors and/or individuals who perpetrate violence. Eligible websites were then reviewed and coded for descriptions of violence prevention efforts, particularly primary prevention, and the presence of services for people who use violence. Descriptive content analysis was used to summarize national trends in community violence prevention strategies and agency service scope.

Results:
In terms of community prevention, while many agencies referenced prevention work, the depth and focus varied. Most prevention efforts centered on community education initiatives such as healthy relationship curricula for youth. Fewer agencies included targeted, community-based approaches aimed at preventing the perpetration of violence, including programs fostering non-violent conflict resolution, healthy masculinity, and early intervention for those at risk. Most domestic violence agencies concentrated exclusively on survivor services, with limited or no mention of programming for individuals who use violence. Among agencies that addressed perpetrators, the predominant offering was court-mandated batterer intervention programs.

Conclusions and Implications:
Findings reveal a critical gap in community violence prevention efforts related to engaging individuals who use or are at risk of using violence. Although prevention is widely referenced, it often remains confined to general education without addressing underlying risk factors or behaviors contributing to violence in communities. Expanding prevention frameworks to include early intervention, perpetrator services, and community-based strategies may enhance collective safety and reduce future violence. Implications for practice include strengthening agency capacity to offer comprehensive, community-driven prevention programming and making these services visible and accessible within public-facing materials.