Making the Case for Domestic Violence Prevention Through the Lens of Cost-Benefit
A Manual for Domestic Violence Prevention Practitioners
(and the State and Local Policy-Makers They Present to)
Creating Sustainable Prevention Efforts
Some prevention strategies are apparently more effective than others. How do we know which ones?
How we talk and write about the cost and impact of our domestic violence prevention work will determine the long-term sustainability of these programs. We know from other prevention movements that some strategies are more effective than others. Viewing domestic violence prevention strategies through the lenses of cost-benefit and, where possible the more incisive perspective of cost-effectiveness itself, can help us fuel and fund what is proving most beneficial and effective and evaluate and change what is not.
Effectiveness and sustainability also have to do with making sure that our prevention programs are appropriate for the communities we are serving. We are seeing throughout California that community and cultural context must determine how prevention programs are designed and delivered – and that what works in one community may not be equally effective in another. Documenting our work and our impact can help other communities to gain resources as they adapt and develop their own approach to collaborative prevention work.
“How can we make sure that all communities are effectively reached, especially those that aren’t able or willing to access more traditional domestic violence services, and those that aren’t even aware of prevention efforts?”
Susan Holt, Manager, Domestic Violence Program
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center, March 25, 2004.
“How are we going to sustain prevention work without compromising victims’ services?”
Alyssa Pomernacki, DELTA Project Coordinator
California Alliance Against Domestic Violence, Sacramento, California,
March 25, 2004.
“We need models for rural areas to replicate with limited county and school funding.”
Joyce Scroggs, Director of Domestic Violence Services
Plumas Rural Services, Quincy, California, March 25, 2004.
“Sustainability is tied to how we talk about the difference we’re making. We know that prevention funding has gone into various issues over time, such as drunk driving and others, and that some strategies have been ineffective. We need to look at what prevention means for this particular issue, and at sustainability regarding resources, methodology and effectiveness.”
Donna Garske, Executive Director
Marin Abused Women’s Services, San Rafael, California, March 25, 2004.