Note: Please see here for the full text of many of these works. See here for key reviews and overviews focused on violence prevention work in schools and/or with children and young people. Kerr-Wilson et al.’s review is a particularly important and recent review. For work with perpetrators of violence, see here. For work with victim-survivors, see here.
The most recent works
Arango, Diana J., Matthew Morton, Floriza Gennari, Sveinung Kiplesund, and Mary Ellsberg (2014). Interventions to Prevent or Reduce Violence Against Women and Girls: a systematic review of reviews. Women’s Voice and Agency Research Series, No. 10, The World Bank: Washington DC.
Awolaran, O., Olubumuyi, O., OlaOlorun, F., Assink, M., van Rooij, F., & Leijten, P. (2022). Interventions to reduce intimate partner violence against women in low- and middle-income countries: A meta-analysis. Aggression and violent behavior, 101746. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2022.101746
DeGue, S., Valle, L. A., Holt, M. K., Massetti, G. M., Matjasko, J. L., & Tharp, A. T. (2014). A Systematic Review of Primary Prevention Strategies for Sexual Violence Perpetration. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19(4): 346–362.
Dills J, Jones K, Brown P. (2019). Continuing the Dialogue: Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Donnelly, P.D., and C.L. Ward. (eds.). (2015). Oxford Textbook of Violence Prevention: Epidemiology, Evidence and policy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Edwards, K. E., & Banyard, V. L. (2018). Preventing Sexual Violence among Adolescents and Young Adults. In D. A. Wolfe & J. R. Temple (Eds.), Adolescent Dating Violence: Theory, Research, and Prevention (pp. 415-435). London: Academic Press.
Ellsberg, Mary, Diana J. Arango, Matthew Morton, Floriza Gennari, Sveinung Kiplesund, Manuel Contreras, and Charlotte Watts. (2014). Prevention of violence against women and girls: what does the evidence say? The Lancet, 20 November 2014. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61703-7.
Ellsberg, M., Ullman, C., Blackwell, A., Hill, A. & Contreras, M. (2018). What Works to Prevent Adolescent Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence? A Global Review of Best Practices. In D. A. Wolfe & J. R. Temple (Eds.), Adolescent Dating Violence (pp. 381-414.). London: Academic Press.
Finnie, R. K., Okasako-Schmucker, D. L., Buchanan, L., Carty, D., Wethington, H., Mercer, S. L., . . . Bishop, J. (2022). Intimate partner and sexual violence prevention among youth: a community guide systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 62(1), e45-e55.
Fulu, Emma, and Lori L. Heise. (2014). What works to prevent violence against women and girls evidence reviews – Paper 1: State of the field of research on violence against women and girls. Pretoria, South Africa: Medical Research Council.
Gibbs, A., Jacobson, J., Wilson, A. K. (2017). A global comprehensive review of economic interventions to prevent intimate partner violence and HIV risk behaviours. Global Health Action, 10, 87-102.
Graham, L. M., Embry, V., Young, B.-R., Macy, R. J., Moracco, K. E., Reyes, H. L. M., & Martin, S. L. (2019). Evaluations of prevention programs for sexual, dating, and intimate partner violence for boys and men: a systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 1524838019851158.
Heise, Lori L. (2011). What Works to Prevent Partner Violence? An Evidence Overview. London: STRIVE Research Consortium, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Heise, Lori L. (2014). What do we know about VAWG and what more do we need to know to prevent it? A Summary of the Evidence. Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa, 3 pp.
Herrenkohl, T. I., Higgins, D. J., Merrick, M. T., & Leeb, R. T. (2015). Positioning a public health framework at the intersection of child maltreatment and intimate partner violence: Primary prevention requires working outside existing systems. Child Abuse & Neglect, 48, 22.
Higginson A, Mazerolle L, Sydes M, Davis JT, Mengersen KL. (2015). Policing interventions for targeting interpersonal violence in developing countries: a systematic review. 3ie Grantee Final Review.
Higginson, A., K. Benier, Y. Shenderovich, L. Bedford, L. Mazerolle, and J. Murray. (2015). Preventive interventions to reduce youth gang violence in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews p1-177.
Hooker, L., Ison, J., Henry, N., Fisher, C., Forsdike, K., Young, F., Korsmeyer, H., O’Sullivan, G., & Taft, A. (2021). Primary prevention of sexual violence and harassment against women and girls: Combining evidence and practice knowledge (Final report and theory of change). Department of Social Services. https://plan4womenssafety.dss.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/la-trobe-final-report-and-theory-change020921.pdf
Hooker, L., Ison, J., O’Sullivan, G., Fisher, C., Henry, N., Forsdike, K., Young, F., & Taft, A. (2021). Primary prevention of sexual violence and harassment against women and girls: Combining evidence and practice knowledge (Evidence review and data synthesis). Department of Social Services. https://plan4womenssafety.dss.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/la-troberesearch-evidence-review-and-data-synthesisfinal020921.pdf
Jewkes, R. (2014). What works to prevent violence against women and girls? Evidence review of the effectiveness of response mechanisms in preventing violence against women and girls. Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.
Kerr-Wilson, A.; Gibbs, A.; McAslan Fraser E.; Ramsoomar, L.; Parke, A.; Khuwaja, HMA.; and Rachel Jewkes. (2020). A rigorous global evidence review of interventions to prevent violence against women and girls. Pretoria, South Africa: What Works to prevent violence among women and girls global Programme.
Kouta, Christiana, Christalla Pithara, Anna Zobnina, Zoe Apostolidou, Josie Christodoulou, Maria Papadakaki, and Joannes Chliaoutakis. (2015). A systematic review of training interventions addressing sexual violence against marginalized at-risk groups of women. Health Education Research, 30(6): 971-984.
Michau, L., Horn, J., Bank, A., Dutt, M., & Zimmerman, C. (2015). Prevention of violence against women and girls: lessons from practice. The Lancet, 385(9978), 1672-1684.
Orchowski, Lindsay, and Christine Gidycz. (eds.) (2018). Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Resistance: Theory, Research, and Practice. Academic Press.
Our Watch, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, & Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. (2015). Change the Story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. Melbourne: Our Watch.
Our Watch. (2017). Putting the prevention of violence against women into practice: How to Change The Story. Melbourne: Our Watch.
Our Watch. (2021). Change the Story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women in Australia. Melbourne: Our Watch.
Remme, M.; Michaels-Igbokwe, C.; Watts, C. (2014). What works to prevent violence against women and girls? Evidence Review of approaches to scale up VAWG programming and assess intervention cost-effectiveness and value for money. Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.
Ricardo, C., M. Eads, and G. Barker. (2011). Engaging Boys and Men in the Prevention of Sexual Violence: A systematic and global review of evaluated interventions. Pretoria, South Africa: Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) and Promundo.
Renzetti, C. M., Follingstad, D. R., & Coker, A. L. (2017). Preventing intimate partner violence. Policy Press.
Sapkota, D., Baird, K., Saito, A., & Anderson, D. (2019). Interventions for Reducing and/or Controlling Domestic Violence among Pregnant Women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Systematic Reviews, 8(1), 79. 10.1186/s13643-019-0998-4
Spangaro, J., Adogu, C., Ranmuthugala, G., Davies, G. P., Steinacker, L., & Zwi, A. (2013). What evidence exists for initiatives to reduce risk and incidence of sexual violence in armed conflict and other humanitarian crises? A systematic review. PLoS One, 8(5), e62600.
Spangaro, J., Adogu, C., Zwi, A. B., Ranmuthugala, G., & Davies, G. P. (2015). Mechanisms underpinning interventions to reduce sexual violence in armed conflict: A realist-informed systematic review. Conflict and Health, 9(1), 1-14.
Spangaro, J., Toole-Anstey, C., MacPhail, C. L., Rambaldini-Gooding, D. C., Keevers, L., & Garcia-Moreno, C. (2021). The impact of interventions to reduce risk and incidence of intimate partner violence and sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict states and other humanitarian crises in low and middle income countries: a systematic review. Conflict and Health, 15(1), 86. doi:10.1186/s13031-021-00417-x
Teasdale, B., & Bradley-Engen, M. S. (Eds.). (2017). Preventing Crime and Violence. Springer.
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. (2021). Learning from practice: Adaptive programming to prevent violence against women and girls. UN Trust Fund prevention series. New York: UN Women.
Vladutiu, C.J., S.L. Martin, and R.J. Macy. (2011). College- or University-based Sexual Assault Prevention Programs: A review of program outcomes, characteristics, and recommendations. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 12(2): 67-86.
White, J. W., Sienkiewicz, H. C., & Smith, P. H. (2019). Envisioning Future Directions: Conversations with Leaders in Domestic and Sexual Assault Advocacy, Policy, Service, and Research. Violence Against Women, 25(1), 105-127.
Other overviews
Anderson, Linda A., and Susan C. Whiston. (2005). Sexual Assault Education Programs: A Meta-Analytic Examination Of Their Effectiveness. Psychology of Women Quarterly, December, 29(4): 374-388.
Bachar, K., and M.P. Koss. (2001). From Prevalence to Prevention: Closing the gap between what we know about rape and what we do. In: Sourcebook on Violence Against Women. Renzetti C, Edleson J, Bergen RK, editors, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Berkowitz, A.D. (2001). Critical Elements of Sexual Assault Prevention and Risk Reduction Programs for Men and Women. In: C. Kilmartin, Sexual Assault in Context: Teaching College Men About Gender. Holmes Beach: Learning Publications.
Bott, S., A. Morrison, and M. Ellsberg. (2005). Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in middle and low-income countries: a global review and analysis. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3618.
Brecklin, L., and D. Forde. (2001). A Meta-analysis of Rape Education Programs. Violence and Victims, 16, 303-321.
Breitenbecher, K.H. (2000). Sexual Assault on College Campuses: Is an ounce of prevention enough? Applied and Preventive Psychology, 9: 23-52.
Casey, E. A., and T. P. Lindhorst. (2009). Toward a Multi-Level, Ecological Approach to the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault: Prevention in Peer and Community Contexts. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 10(2): 91-114.
Cornelius, T. L., and N. Resseguie. (2006). Primary and Secondary Prevention Programs for Dating Violence: A review of the literature. Aggression and Violent Behavior 12: 364-375.
Dahlberg, L.L., and A. Butchart. (2005). State of the Science: Violence prevention efforts in developing and developed countries. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot., Jun; 12(2):93-104.
Davis, Rachel, Lisa Fujie Parks, and Larry Cohen. (2006). Sexual Violence and the Spectrum of Prevention: Towards a community solution. Enola, PA: National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
End Violence Against Women Coalition. (2011). A Different World is Possible: A call for long-term and targeted action to prevent violence against women and girls. London. URL: http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/pages/resources.html.
Gidycz, C.A., C.L. Rich, and N.L. Marioni. (2002). Interventions to Prevent Rape and Sexual Assault. In J. Petrak & B. Hedge (eds.). The Trauma of Sexual Assault (Chapter 10, pp. 235-259). Somerset, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hester, M., and N. Westmarland. (2005). Tackling Domestic Violence: Effective Interventions and Approaches, Home Office Research Study 290, London: Home Office.
Kilmartin, C., and J. Allison. (2007). Men’s Violence Against Women: Theory, Research, and Activism. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
6. Responding to Gender-based Violence: Intervention.
7. Gender-based Violence: Towards Prevention.
8. Model Prevention Programs.
9. Developing Violence Prevention Programs.
Lonsway, Kimberly A., Victoria L. Banyard, Alan D. Berkowitz, Christine A. Gidycz, Jackson T. Katz, Mary P. Koss, Paul A. Schewe, and Sarah E. Ullman. (2009). Rape Prevention and Risk Reduction: Review of the Research Literature for Practitioners. VAWnet National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women, January, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
Lutzker, J.R. (2006). Violence Prevention: Expanding the applied science. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 11(2): 111-111.
Mancini, J., Nelson, J., Bowen, G., and Martin, J. (2006). Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: A community capacity approach. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 13 (1), 203-227.
McMahon, Pamela M. (2000). The Public Health Approach to the Prevention of Sexual Violence. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 12(1).
Morrison A, Ellsberg M, Bott S. (2007). Addressing gender-based violence: a critical review of interventions. World Bank Res Obs; 22: 25–51.
Morrison, S., J. Hardison, A. Mathew, and J. O’Neil. (2004). An Evidence-based Review of Sexual Assault Preventive Intervention Programs. Washington D.C: National Institute Justice. U.S Department of Justice (NCJ #207262).
Murray, C. E., and J. Graybeal. (2007). Methodological Review of Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Research. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22(10): 1250-1269.
Nation, M., C. Crusto, A. Wandersman, K. Kumpfer, D. Seybolt, E. Morrissey-Kane, and K. Davino. (2003). What Works in Prevention: Principles of effective prevention programs. American Psychologist, 58(6/7): 449-56.
Olayanju L, Naguib RNG, Nguyen QT, et al. (2013). Combating intimate partner violence in Africa: opportunities and challenges in five African countries. Aggression and Violent Behavior; 18:101–112.
Paul, L.A., and M.J. Gray. (2011). Sexual Assault Programming on College Campuses: Using social psychological belief and behavior change principles to improve outcomes. Trauma, Violence, Abuse, 12(2): 99-109.
Sabol, W.J., C.J. Coulton, and J.E. Korbin. (2004). Building Community Capacity for Violence Prevention. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19(3): 322-340.
Saul J., J. Duffy, R. Noonan, K. Lubell, A. Wandersman, P. Flaspohler, L. Stillman, M. Blachman, and R. Dunville. (2008). Bridging Science and Practice in Violence Prevention: Addressing Ten Key Challenges. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41: 197-205.
Schewe, P.A. (2007). Interventions to Prevent Sexual Violence. In: Doll L, Bonzo S, Sleet D, Mercy J, Hass E, editors. Handbook of Injury and Violence Prevention. New York, NY: Springer; 2007. p.183-201.
Slater, M., & Presterudstuen, G. (2015). Resolving the prevention paradox: The role of communities and organisations in the primary prevention of violence against women. Presented to the Inaugural Asia-Pacific Conference on Gendered Violence and Violations, University of New South Wales, February.
Stith, Sandra M. (ed.). (2005). Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press (Co-published simultaneously as Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, Volume 13, numbers 3/4, 2005).
Contents;
Changing the way people think about intimate partner violence -- Changing public attitudes as a prevention strategy -- To reduce intimate partner violence / Jacquelyn C. Campbell, Jennifer Manganello -- Public health communication theory and strategies for interpersonal violence prevention / Ricardo J. Wray -- Changing the way the health care system responds to intimate partner violence -- Domestic violence screening in medical and mental health care settings: overcoming barriers to screening, identifying, and helping partner violence victims / Kevin Hamberger, Mary Beth Phelan -- What do medical providers need to successfully intervene with intimate partner violence? / Nancy Sugg -- Changing the way young people handle anger and interact with their intimate partners -- Can we prevent the hitting? Recommendations for preventing intimate partner violence between young adults / K. Daniel O’Leary, Erica M. Woodin, Patti A. Timmons Fritz -- The who, what, when, where, and how of partner violence prevention research / Sherry L. Hamby -- Changing the ways communities support families to prevent intimate partner violence -- Preventing intimate partner violence: a community capacity approach / Jay A. Mancini, John P. Nelson, Gary L. Bowen, James A. Martin -- Conclusion -- Future directions in intimate partner violence prevention research / Sandra M. Stith.
The Prevention Researcher, Volume 14, Supplement, 2007.
Aggression in Adolescent Dating Relationships: Predictors and Prevention / Jennifer Connolly and Wendy Josephson.
Cyberbullying: Q&A with Nancy Willard.
Restorative Justice: Principles, Practices, and Application / Sandra Pavelka O’Brien.
The Impact of Child Maltreatment and Family Violence on the Sexual, Reproductive, and Parenting Behaviors of Young Men / Patricia Paluzzi and Abby Kahn.
Working with Athletes to Prevent Dating Violence: An Interview About the Family Violence Prevention Fund’s “Coaching Boys into Men” Campaign.
Thornton, T.N., C.A. Craft, L.L. Dahlberg, B.S. Lynch, and K. Baer. (2002). Best Practices of Youth Violence Prevention: A Sourcebook for Community Action (Rev.). Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Valle, L.A., Hunt D., Costa M., Shively M., Townsend M., Kuck S., Rhoads W.D., Baer K. (2007). Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Programs Evaluation Guide. Atlanta, GA: Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Wathen, C.N., and H.L. MacMillan. (2003). Interventions for Violence Against Women: Scientific review. Journal of the American Medical Association, 289: 589-600.
Yeater, E. A., and W. O’Donohue. (1999). Sexual Assault Prevention Programs: Current Issues, Future Directions, and the Potential Efficacy of Interventions With Women. Clinical Psychology Review, 19(7): 739-771.