Using community-based participatory research to prevent family violence: Replicable processes from the Safe Spaces project

Background:  Despite wide academic, community, and policy-based efforts to prevent family violence, there has been limited practical impact on large-scale violence reduction. One possible explanation is    that these efforts have been siloed, with limited integration of the expertise and resources of researchers, public health practitioners, and members of communities of interest.  An alternative approach to supporting family violence prevention and intervention services is the use of community-based participatory research (CBPR). Methods:  We created the Safe Spaces coalition, a community-academic partnership that is being co-led by a researcher and a community health worker (CHW), in New Orleans, Louisiana.    We leveraged the strengths of trusted community members and organizations, to engage a wide variety stakeholders in replicable processes for gathering community input on research and intervention priorities.   We hosted a series of community listening sessions,   key informant interviews, focus groups, and coalition meetings to identify community resources, needs, and priorities for violence prevention.  We trained community members and researchers in CBPR methods.  Results:  Community-identified challenges included limited services and resources for domestic violence survivors, policy and law enforcement limitations, and the need to increase public awareness of family violence. Training on CBPR methods was well-received.  Conclusion:  Information gathered will inform the development of a community-based family violence intervention research.  Strategies used by the Safe Spaces coalition are replicable in other areas and may present a useful model for incorporating of scientific methodology and community knowledge and resources to address family violence.