Interpersonal Violence
APA takes a public health approach to violence prevention advocacy, using psychological research to inform policies and programs.
Prevention and Support
Working with our members and partner organizations, we advocate for funding and support for victim services, research, and implementation of evidence-based approaches to violence prevention. APA advocates in the following areas of interpersonal violence prevention:
Understanding Interpersonal Violence
1,580
In 2014, an estimated 1,580 children died of abuse and neglect in the United States.
One in three
One in three women will experience rape, physical violence or stalking in her lifetime. Individuals with disabilities, people of color and non-gender conforming individuals have a heightened risk of domestic and sexual abuse.
Psychologists Take to the Hill to Support the Violence Against Women Act
On April 6, 2017, APA's Public Interest Government Relations Office held an advocacy training and Capitol Hill day for participants in the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology (LIWP). Forty psychologists provided congressional offices with information on programs under the Violence Against Women Act that target underserved populations. They requested full funding for those programs. Participants discussed how the risk of domestic violence and sexual violence is higher for women of color, women with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, older adults and other marginalized populations.
The enthusiastic responses from congressional staff underscored the importance of psychologists coming to the table to help policymakers understand the unique needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Sen. Claire McCaskill meets with APA members Constance Brooks, PhD, (left) and Johanna Nilsson, PhD (right).
APA Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer Amalia Corby addresses participants at the 2017 Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology.
APA member Kathryn Anderson, MD, (left) and Senior Legislative and APA Federal Affairs Officer Gabe Twose (right) meet with Congressman Jamie Raskin.
APA Member Pamela Niesluchowski, PsyD, meets with Sen. Tammy Duckworth (left) and Sen. Dick Durbin (right).
Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (left) meets with APA members Yadira Sanchez, PhD, and Kathleen Brown, PhD, as APA legislative and federal affairs officer, Micah Haskell-Hoehl, looks on.
APA Actions Related to Interpersonal Violence
Interpersonal Violence occurs across age, ethnic, gender and economic lines, among persons with disabilities, and among heterosexual and same-sex couples.
About APA Advocacy
APA represents the largest and most visible national presence advocating for psychology at the federal level. There are three APA government relations offices and two APA-affiliated organizations that engage in government relations activities.