Dating and domestic violence are two the most frequently occurring forms of gender-based violence, both in the United States and globally. A growing body of international law has identified the failure of states to adequately protect people from gender-based violence as a violation of human rights. In order to improve prevention efforts, people must understand the scope, extent, dynamics, and characteristics of dating and domestic violence. Unfortunately, too many people hold dangerous misconceptions about abuse that hinder prevention efforts.
This book is intended to help address misconceptions about dating and domestic violence, thereby helping to inform readers who can and should be involved in prevention practices. The first part of the book shares important information about dating and domestic violence, describing how they are a violation of fundamental human rights as well as reviewing the scope of abuse in the United States and globally, risk and protective factors, characteristics of victims and offenders, the effects of abuse, and barriers to leaving abusers. The second part of the book builds on that foundation to present curricula that can be used in schools and other institutions to teach about abuse, as well as other lesson ideas for various settings. As well, the second part of the book presents a case study of how to build a campus-community collaborative prevention program. In all, the book aims to promote peace in every relationship through a deeper understanding of dating and domestic violence.