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Domestic Violence

From sexual or spousal abuse to child abuse and neglect, domestic violence entails any abusive behavior by one person to maintain power over another in a close relationship. The scope of RAND's research on domestic violence includes its effects on families and children, the link between substance use and domestic violence, domestic violence by or against military service members, and how clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder may be contributing factors.

Brochure

Spotlight 2020–2021

Spotlight 2020-2021 features examples of our research that helped to improve people's lives during a turbulent year. It also highlights a selection of research initiatives on the horizon for 2021.

Jan 26, 2021
Report

Australia's Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children, Priority Area 2: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women and Their Children — Final Report

The authors discuss their evaluation of the Australian government's Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children, designed to address family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Jan 20, 2021
Journal Article

Intimate Partner Violence and Witness Intervention: What Are the Deciding Factors?

This report examines the factors that encourage witnesses of intimate partner violence to intervene (including reporting the violence to the relevant authorities). It draws on qualitative research in Denmark, Germany, France and Portugal.

Nov 25, 2020
Journal Article

Women-centered Rituals and Levels of Domestic Violence: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Ritual as a Signaling and Solidarity-Building Strategy

Prior research suggests domestic violence against women to be more common in societies with patrilocality. Women-centered rituals build social solidarity to mitigate domestic violence. We find domestic violence is not particularly associated with patrilocality, but that women-centered rituals appear protective against domestic violence irrespective of post-marital residence pattern.

Aug 11, 2020
Blog

Online Shopping, Living in a Riskier World, Stress in Communities: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on Americans' online shopping habits during the pandemic, living in a riskier world, how stress builds in communities, and more.

Jul 10, 2020
Commentary

Preventing Homelessness Among Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Without assistance, domestic violence survivors are more likely to be forced into homelessness. Now could be the time to invest in programs that help victims—before a second wave of COVID-19 cases pushes more families into unsafe environments.

Jul 2, 2020
Blog

Preparing for a Post-Vaccine World, Domestic Abuse, the Future of War: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on why we need a blueprint for a post-vaccine world, helping domestic abuse victims during COVID-19, the pandemic's historic economic effects, and more.

May 15, 2020
Commentary

Public Health Lessons on Intimate Partner Violence Tucked into Tiger King

Substantial work has been done to figure out how best to address intimate partner violence, but with limited attention regarding how best to meet the unique needs of gay, lesbian, and bisexual victims. The popularity of Netflix's Tiger King, and its depiction of intimate partner violence between Joe Exotic and his two husbands, could help to focus attention on a very real, and often hidden, problem.

May 15, 2020
Commentary

Measures to Help Domestic Abuse Victims During COVID-19 Are Welcome but Not Enough

One of the most worrying and consistent trends during the COVID-19 lockdown is an increase in domestic violence. Governments are taking different approaches in how they act to stop the violence and help victims to be heard during the lockdown. Securing adequate resources for support services is vital.

May 12, 2020
Report

Availability of Family Violence Services for Military Service Members and Their Families

The authors examine resources available to military-affiliated victims and perpetrators of child abuse/neglect and domestic abuse, barriers to utilization, and challenges faced in addressing these issues, and recommend ways to improve services.

Nov 25, 2019
Journal Article

Detecting and Reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Among Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Multi-Agency Early Intervention Program

This study examined the Child Trauma Response Team and its efforts to reduce PTSD symptoms among children exposed to domestic violence.

Aug 20, 2019
Journal Article

Economic Policies and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention: Emerging Complexities in the Literature

Are economic factors an entry point for addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), and can economic policies and programs serve to reduce rates of IPV?

Dec 4, 2018
Commentary

Restoring Asylum Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence

Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded asylum protections earlier this month for victims of domestic violence. The decision and the supporting analysis goes against decades of research on violence against women. Congress could reverse the decision by amending the asylum law.

Jun 25, 2018
Commentary

Tackling Gender-Based Violence Among Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Increased poverty and major shifts in traditional gender roles for Syrian refugees have worsened interpersonal tensions, increased the risk of domestic violence, and caused challenges for aid workers.

Mar 22, 2018
Multimedia

Countering Violent Extremism

A series of brief videos introduces important elements of the RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). The toolkit helps community-based CVE programs design an evaluation that is appropriate for their program type, resources, and expertise.

Jan 10, 2018
Project

Policy Options for Improving Child Welfare

Every year, about 3 million children in the U.S. face abuse or neglect. Expanding prevention and treatment services in the child welfare system could improve the lives of children and reduce lifetime expenses by 3 to 7 percent.

Dec 11, 2017
Journal Article

Primary Care Providers with More Experience and Stronger Self-Efficacy Beliefs Regarding Women Veterans Screen More Frequently for Interpersonal Violence

Some primary care provider experiences and beliefs regarding women's health care influence rates of screening for military sexual trauma (MST) and/or intimate partner violence (IPV) .

Sep 6, 2017
Periodical

RAND Review: November-December 2016

This issue highlights the policy issues facing the next U.S. president; the problem of food, energy, and water scarcity throughout the world; and the connection between violence against women and murder.

Oct 17, 2016
Journal Article

Who Are the Men Caring for Maltreated Youth? Male Primary Caregivers in the Child Welfare System

Men who are the primary caregivers of youth in the child welfare system tend to be more similar than different from their female counterparts.

Sep 21, 2016
Commentary

Domestic Warning Signs of Mass Shootings

After shootings, there is inevitably public debate over gun safety, constitutional rights, police tactics, terrorism, race, and politics. But these discussions rarely focus on a common factor among the perpetrators: a history of violence against women.

Aug 6, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Domestic Violence

Topic Synonyms:
Child Abuse;
Domestic Abuse

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