All forms of IPV, from episodic violence to battering, are preventable. The key to prevention is focusing on first-time perpetration and first-time victimization. Knowledge about the factors that prevent IPV is lacking. CDC is working to better understand the developmental pathways and social circumstances that lead to this type of violence. In addition, the agency is helping organizations evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs to reduce both victimization and perpetration.

The Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) program seeks to reduce the incidence (i.e., number of new cases) of IPV in funded communities. The program addresses the entire continuum of IPV from episodic violence to battering through a variety of activities.

Program Concepts
Primary prevention is the cornerstone of the DELTA Program. Program activities are guided by a set of prevention principles including:

• Preventing first-time perpetration and first-time victimization;
• Reducing risk factors associated with IPV perpetration or victimization;
• Promoting protective factors that reduce the likelihood of IPV;
• Planning evidence-based programs;
• Using behavior and social change theories in prevention program planning and evaluation; and
• Evaluating prevention programs and using results to form future program plans.

Prevention requires understanding the circumstances and factors that influence violence. CDC uses a four-level, social ecological model to better understand violence and potential strategies for prevention. This model considers the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors, and allows us to address risk and protective factors from multiple domains.