Introduction
This report provides principles, practices, and helpful resources for addressing and preventing domestic violence (DV) in fatherhood programs. This report was created through the Preventing and Addressing Intimate Violence when Engaging Dads (PAIVED) study. The PAIVED study examined the strategies used by fatherhood programs to help prevent and address domestic violence among participating fathers. Findings from the PAIVED study were informed by Responsible Fatherhood (RF) programs funded through the Office of Family Assistance within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. However, the recommendations and resources are applicable to and useful for all fatherhood programs across the country, regardless of federal funding.
The report available for download on this page (through the “Download Report (PDF)” button) includes an overview of background information on domestic violence, guiding principles for the field, a summary of promising practices already being used by fatherhood programs, and directions for programs to consider in the future. Following this overview, the report includes three resources that fatherhood programs may use jointly or separately. The full report concludes with a list of additional resources for practitioners. The three resources are also posted separately for easy printing. Use the links below to access the three individual resources:
- Ten Ways to Engage Fathers in Addressing and Preventing Domestic Violence. This resource provides suggested ways that fatherhood program staff can enhance program practices to engage fathers in addressing and preventing domestic violence.
- Teachable Moments. This resource provides four example scenarios that demonstrate and provide guidance on how fatherhood programs can address and prevent domestic violence.
- Six Ways Fatherhood Programs Can Successfully Partner with Domestic Violence Agencies and Battering Intervention Program. This resource provides recommendations on ways for fatherhood programs to connect and strengthen relationships with community partner organizations that address domestic violence and battering intervention.
Methods
This report was informed by the findings from the PAIVED study. The goal of the PAIVED study was to better understand the strategies that RF programs use to help prevent and address DV among participating fathers. The study included a literature review; a review of RF program documents (grantee applications and progress reports); a review of fatherhood, DV, and other relevant curricula; consultations with stakeholders and experts; and qualitative data collection and analysis.
Data collection included interviews with 16 staff at eight RF programs and 11 staff from nine partner organizations (typically domestic violence programs). The study team also observed seven program sessions at five of the programs; these sessions included RF programming with DV content.
Citation
Areán, J. C., Davis, L., Wasik, H., Scott, M. E., Laurore, J. & Bair-Merritt, M. (2020). Healing and supporting fathers: Principles, practices, and resources for fatherhood programs to help address and prevent domestic violence, OPRE Report # 2020-65, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.