Future Directions in System Responses to Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: Community Perspectives

As interpersonal violence continues to plague communities across the USA, behavioral healthcare providers and scientists have established effective treatments for victims while seeking to understand social determinants and develop strategies for prevention. In this chapter, we present a collection of diverse perspectives which reveal the causes and consequences of violence within certain cultural groups along with current initiatives for change. Yet, scientifically supported strategies to reduce violence are often slow to be implemented particularly due to the disconnect between scientists, behavioral healthcare providers, policy makers, and impacted communities. Effective advocacy is a skillset that bridges the disconnect between stakeholders and encourages collaboration between providers and legislatures. It is not only our responsibility to engage in effective advocacy toward strategies that reduce violence, but also to encourage and teach this necessary skillset to the next generation of behavioral healthcare providers and scientists.