Giving Compass' Take:

• Grantmakers in Health examines philanthropic efforts to address to domestic violence and finds there is much room for improvement.

• There are steps given for funders to prevent and address domestic violence, including supporting accountability in our communities. How can we integrate these strategies across different sectors?

• Read about an AI-powered tool that helps domestic violence victims file restraining orders.

Whether you are a health funder with the ability to encourage and help your grantees cultivate strategic partnerships with local domestic violence agencies or a foundation driving toward health equity and whole-person care: there is a space for you; there is a need for you.

Domestic violence is detrimental to health. Domestic violence was first declared a public health issue in the 1990s, but is still not fully viewed or treated as a co-occurring issue alongside the multiple other influences and conditions that collectively affect an individual’s well-being and ability to thrive. Addressing these issues independently—without also identifying the underlying traumas and connections among them—are half-measure at best.

Multiple support systems and services are needed to prevent domestic violence and ameliorate its impact on those who experience it both directly and indirectly. As philanthropists — the individuals and organizations committed to having a positive impact on this world — we can and must do more to prevent and address domestic violence. Through new partnerships, advocacy, collective will, and innovation, we can create a better, healthier future for all.

How Health Funders Can Get Involved

  • Invest in prevention: Breaking the cycle of violence and stopping abuse before it starts is still an area that is largely underfunded across the country.
  • Focus on protective and risk factors for health: Recognize that domestic violence is both a determinant of health and an outcome, and build upon facilitating factors as well as barriers to positive health outcomes.
  • Broaden our base of change-agents: Cultivate new leaders (men and women, boys and girls) and community partners from a variety of sectors to help open the door to new possibilities and solutions.

Read the full article about what philanthropy can do about domestic violence by Lucia Corral Pena at Grantmakers In Health.