Journal of Youth Development (Sep 2018)

Heart and Shield Family Violence Prevention Program

  • Jill Baker-Tingey,
  • Pamela Powell,
  • Crystal Powell

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2018.620
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 3
pp. 136 – 161

Abstract

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Children exposed to domestic violence (DV) inadvertently learn behaviors that make them more likely to become victims and/or perpetrators later in life unless they learn skills to address childhood trauma. This article discusses how two rural community needs assessments identified that DV prevention was a high-priority issue, the effects of DV on youth mental and physical health, and the resulting Heart and Shield Family Violence Prevention Program, a Cooperative Extension program designed to strengthen family relationships and break the cycle of violence. Implications for practice include helping youth build healthy relationships, incorporating DV awareness training in staff/volunteer professional development, collaborating with community partners, and advocating for programs that teach positive parent-child interactions.

Keywords