Family violence is a primary public health concern, but professionals typically intervene with tertiary prevention. In practice, individuals and families are most often identified and treated after an act of violence has occurred. Working with Sudanese refugees, we became aware of family violence problems and determined to "move upstream" toward secondary and primary prevention models in our community. Using a family and community development framework and a partnership model we explored the effects of the social, economic, and physical environment on Sudanese family and community health. In partnership, we designed educational programs and tools to promote and protect family integrity and early case-finding to limit the progression of family violence. Key issues that emerged in the partnership were: culture, diversity, and adaptation; family and community integrity; changes in gender relations and family roles; conflict resolution and domestic violence; and human rights and the U.S. legal system.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize family violence as a global health concern as identified by the United Nations 2. Discuss the need for primary prevention to reduce family violence. 3. Identify the importance of multisectoral partnerships to support change within a community
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Family Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.