Healthy Communities

Violence Prevention

Violence is a major public health concern. It affects people in all stages of life, including many fellow Arkansans. Many survive violence and suffer physical and emotional health challenges for the rest of their lives.

In addition, violence disproportionately affects youth. Child maltreatment, sexual violence, youth violence, and other violent behaviors are preventable.  Many violent behaviors begin before a person turns eighteen years of age. Individual risk factors for youth include a history of violent victimization, a history of aggressive behavior, involvement with drugs and alcohol, antisocial beliefs, and exposure to violence and conflict in the family. 

The purpose of the violence prevention program is to reduce or eliminate all forms of violence through education and awareness. This is done by using the public health approach to address risk and protective factors influencing multiple forms of violence. Violence Prevention efforts are conducted on various levels including the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels.

Evidence-based and/or best practice programs and interventions are used to implement education to address bullying, dating violence, and sexual violence among youth and adults while integrating prevention efforts across multiple service sectors.

Sexual Violence

It is estimated that more than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lifetime. Sexual violence is any form of sexual activity when consent is not obtained or not freely given. It is considered a serious health problem in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It impacts all communities, genders, sexual orientations, and ages. The perpetrator of sexual violence is usually someone known to the victim, such as a friend, intimate partner, coworker, or family member.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is committed to sexual violence prevention work through the CDC’s Rape Prevention Education (RPE) funding which allows the state to provide primary prevention education programs. The goal of these programs is to implement comprehensive strategies that address multiple factors to stop violence before it occurs. ADH collaborates closely with the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse Rape and Domestic Violence (ACCRADV) to strategize prevention priorities statewide.

Educational Programs Offered:

If you would like more information about any of these educational programs, such as how to schedule one in your area, please call 501-661-2110.

 

Resources

Office Address Phone Fax
Substance Misuse and Injury Prevention 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 10
Little Rock, AR 72205		 501-683-0707 501-682-0427

Public Health Accrediation Board
Arkansas Department of Health
© 2017 Arkansas Department of Health. All Rights Reserved. www.healthy.arkansas.gov
4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
1-800-462-0599
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