Communities Can Help Prevent Dating and Sexual Violence

October 15, 2018 • By Nicole Greene, Acting Director, Office on Women's Health

Teen couple holding hands on a park bench

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (link is external) (CPSTF) recently released a recommendation for interventions (link is external) that aim to prevent or reduce intimate partner violence (dating violence) and sexual violence among youth. This recommendation is based on a systematic review of 28 studies. The findings showed interventions reduced intimate partner and sexual violence among youth. Results also showed an increase in bystander action within the first six months of completing the intervention, meaning bystanders intervened when they noticed a risky situation or challenged aggressive attitudes toward women, such as offensive jokes or objectifying language.