Strategies for Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

The World Health Organisation defines intimate partner violence as “behaviour in an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours” (2010, p.11). Women bear the vast majority of the ill-effects of partner violence, and men usually are the primary perpetrators. Unfortunately, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic experienced by people in every culture and of every class. This paper focuses on preventing men’s violence toward women in intimate partner relationships. Primary prevention of IPV perpetration already takes place at all levels of the public health ecological model. A proven effective community level strategy to prevent IPV perpetration is the integration of gender equality and anti-violence curricula into school settings. The evidence shows that boys who participate in these socialisation-based curricula report decreased perpetration of violence and increased understanding of the equality of women and girls. While a number of gender equality and anti-violence curricula have been developed, the GEMS (Gender Equality Movement in Schools) curriculum is one that can be contextualised to fit various cultural settings. One means of extending the influence of this successful intervention is to apply it to other non-school settings where children already meet for learning and play, such as local churches. Existing children’s programmes in church settings are an ideal place for children to learn and practice gender equality and non-violent problem solving skills. Through the implementation of IPV prevention curricula in church settings around the world, children involved in the church-based programmes will be the recipients of a vital tool to decrease their likelihood of encountering future intimate partner violence and to improve their present and the future mental and physical wellbeing.Master of Public Healt