The main concept of prevention is the following:
We can take actions in order to stop something before it occurs; we can take actions that will decrease the likelihood of something happening at all.
When we think about this in terms of domestic, sexual, and interpersonal violence it means this: prevention is all the things we do to work towards a community where violence does not happen. This might take the form of education to the young people about what healthy relationships look like so they are better equipped to identify a potentially unhealthy or abusive partner before any violence occurs. Or, it might look like anti-violence agencies collaborating with law enforcement and the legal system to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held accountable for their actions and not allowed to access other victims.
What is important to note about primary prevention is the shift in focus — from those who may become victimized to individuals who might perpetrate. It is important to understand that in order violence to be eradicated from our community, we must focus on the actions of those committing the violence not the victims.
Many women are taught from a young age to walk with their keys between their fingers so they can have a rudimentary weapon on hand in case of attack, not to walk down dark alleys at night, not to dress a certain way, act a certain way — or they run the risk of assault, violation, harassment, etc. What we know is this: teaching someone how not to get assaulted is not as effective as teaching someone that assaulting others is not allowed in our community. What we also know is that this way of thinking leads to victim blaming. So, for example, if I was assaulted after deciding to walk alone down a street at night people might wonder to themselves: “Poor girl, but what was she doing all alone that late in that bad part of town?”.
Yes- we live in a world where scary things happen.
And, no, things aren’t going to change overnight.
That’s why it is still important to partake in activities that will increase the safety and security of your body, mind, and spirit.
Our prevention efforts, however, are asking for more than that from our community. We are seeking to build a community where perpetrators are held accountable and neighbors, friends, coworkers, family members, and even strangers Say Something to one another when they see someone perpetrating, perpetuating, or silently allowing violence to occur. Where the first person we think of when we hear about a violent act is the person committing it, with the question “how did we let this happen?”
For another viewpoint on the issue of prevention, holding perpetrators accountable, and victim blaming, check out one of our colleagues’ article from Ms. Fit Magazine. Lynne Marie Wanamaker is a consultant on the Say Something initiative and the lead writer for our awesome Field Guide. She is also an anti-violence educator and self-defense instructor. Take a look at her response to Emily Yoffe’s article, entitled “College Women: Stop Getting Drunk” which has been spurring controversy for the past few months.
Laura Penney is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Safe Passage and the project director of the Say Something Prevention Initiative.
We can take actions in order to stop something before it occurs; we can take actions that will decrease the likelihood of something happening at all.
When we think about this in terms of domestic, sexual, and interpersonal violence it means this: prevention is all the things we do to work towards a community where violence does not happen. This might take the form of education to the young people about what healthy relationships look like so they are better equipped to identify a potentially unhealthy or abusive partner before any violence occurs. Or, it might look like anti-violence agencies collaborating with law enforcement and the legal system to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held accountable for their actions and not allowed to access other victims.
What is important to note about primary prevention is the shift in focus — from those who may become victimized to individuals who might perpetrate. It is important to understand that in order violence to be eradicated from our community, we must focus on the actions of those committing the violence not the victims.
Many women are taught from a young age to walk with their keys between their fingers so they can have a rudimentary weapon on hand in case of attack, not to walk down dark alleys at night, not to dress a certain way, act a certain way — or they run the risk of assault, violation, harassment, etc. What we know is this: teaching someone how not to get assaulted is not as effective as teaching someone that assaulting others is not allowed in our community. What we also know is that this way of thinking leads to victim blaming. So, for example, if I was assaulted after deciding to walk alone down a street at night people might wonder to themselves: “Poor girl, but what was she doing all alone that late in that bad part of town?”.
Yes- we live in a world where scary things happen.
And, no, things aren’t going to change overnight.
That’s why it is still important to partake in activities that will increase the safety and security of your body, mind, and spirit.
Our prevention efforts, however, are asking for more than that from our community. We are seeking to build a community where perpetrators are held accountable and neighbors, friends, coworkers, family members, and even strangers Say Something to one another when they see someone perpetrating, perpetuating, or silently allowing violence to occur. Where the first person we think of when we hear about a violent act is the person committing it, with the question “how did we let this happen?”
For another viewpoint on the issue of prevention, holding perpetrators accountable, and victim blaming, check out one of our colleagues’ article from Ms. Fit Magazine. Lynne Marie Wanamaker is a consultant on the Say Something initiative and the lead writer for our awesome Field Guide. She is also an anti-violence educator and self-defense instructor. Take a look at her response to Emily Yoffe’s article, entitled “College Women: Stop Getting Drunk” which has been spurring controversy for the past few months.
Laura Penney is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Safe Passage and the project director of the Say Something Prevention Initiative.
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