Violence and Abuse Prevention in Rural Areas

The unique social and geographic context of rural areas can exacerbate the challenges faced by victims of violence and abuse. Limited access to healthcare and social services, close connections with people of authority, geographic isolation, lack of transportation, stigma, and poverty can all be barriers for individuals who have experienced violence.

For more information about the types and prevalence of violence and abuse in rural communities, as well as strategies and considerations for preventing and addressing violence, visit the Violence and Abuse in Rural America topic guide.

Examples of Rural Programs Supporting Violence and Abuse Prevention

• The Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation Program (DOVE) used research-based findings to improve screening and intervention for domestic violence during home visitations in the period after birth. The program, funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Institute of Child Health and Development, was tested in various environments including six locations in rural Missouri. During home visits, mothers received a brochure containing education about the cycle of domestic violence, a risk assessment, guidance for safety planning, and community and national resources. Home visitors also helped participating women develop a safety plan.
• The Wyoming Trauma Telehealth Treatment Clinic connected victims of violence from domestic violence and sexual assault centers in rural Wyoming to virtual psychological services using videoconferencing. The program aimed to address the challenges that remote and rural environments create for accessing services by providing free therapy from psychology doctoral students. Prior to videoconferencing, domestic violence and sexual assault centers would refer clients to offsite psychological services. Offering therapy onsite through videoconferencing allowed clients to simultaneously address both practical needs, like emergency housing, and mental health needs.
• The North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center (NC-YVPC) implemented three evidence-based programs to prevent violence in a rural community in North Carolina. The first program, Positive Action, was implemented in middle schools and focused on improving behavior, development, and school environment. The second program, Parenting Wisely, used a computer-based training to educate parents about adolescent problem behaviors. The third program, a Teen Court, implemented a restorative justice approach to decreasing juvenile violence and delinquency. By using a multifaceted strategy, the NC-YVPC targeted risk and protective factors relevant to decreasing youth violence across individual, interpersonal, and community socio-ecological levels.

Implementation Considerations

When developing and implementing programs to address violence and abuse in rural communities, it is important to consider how the rural context can pose unique challenges. Common rural challenges include limited funding, resources, and transportation. For some victims of violence, geographic isolation from services and other community members can increase their risk of violence and make it harder to obtain assistance. Limited transportation can also heighten barriers associated with individuals being able to access care or support.

Rural communities are also often characterized by social values that can reinforce stigma surrounding abuse and create challenges for obtaining buy-in from community members. Even when resources are available, close-knit social networks and concerns about confidentiality can pose barriers for building trusting relationships between community members, practitioners, and authority figures.

Resources to Learn More

Preventing Sexual and Domestic Violence in Rural Communities: From Resistance to Resilience
Video/Multimedia
Describes the rural landscape of sexual assault and domestic violence prevention. Identifies rural-specific challenges and opportunities for prevention; and discusses strategies to address considerations for sexual and domestic violence prevention in rural communities.
Organization(s): ValorUS
Date: 4/2020

Rural Child Welfare Practice
Document
Discusses the need for understanding how the rural context contributes to concerns for children and families living and working in rural areas. Covers the strengths of rural communities, and the types of resources available, and cultural considerations for child welfare professionals working in rural areas.
Organization(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway; Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families
Date: 2/2018