New Federal Office Focuses on Domestic Violence Prevention

March 21, 2023

The federal government is launching a new office focused on domestic violence prevention, officials announced this week.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has created the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services in an effort to prevent and address domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and dating violence, federal officials said. The office will be structured under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

It’s estimated that more than 40 percent of women and 26 percent of men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, according to the CDC.

“This new office underlines ACF’s commitment to prevention programs, survivor services, and a whole family approach to serving families when they need it most,” ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras said in a statement.

The priority goals of the new federal office include:

• Developing a strategy and action plan to prevent and respond to domestic violence across social service programs
• Maintaining and leading coordination and collaboration across agency partners
• Prioritizing the continued implementation appropriations to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault

“ACF will continue to implement a comprehensive strategy to promote violence prevention through programs and resources that impact survivors’ physical and behavioral health, safety, well-being, housing, economic mobility, and family stability,” Contreras said.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides a directory of local providers and resources to help those in need of assistance.

Additional information about the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services is available online.