Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women
Prevention Framework
Prevention differs from intervention and treatment in that it is aimed at general population groups with various levels of risk for alcohol, drug, and other alcohol-related violence problems. Intervention and treatment are designed with a particular person or small groups of persons in mind. The Institute of Medicine's (IOM) program classification system is useful in understanding the differing objectives of various interventions.
The framework of the IOM classification system can be used to match interventions to the needs of a targeted population.1 The three types are:
- Universal programs (e.g., clinic-based health seminars, posters in health centers or lunch rooms). These target general population groups without making reference to those at particular risk. All members of a community, not just specific individuals or groups, benefit from a universal prevention effort. For women, the goal is to prevent alcohol/drug use that would increase their chances of victimization.
- Selective programs (e.g., server interventions at bars, screening, and brief interventions). These target individuals who are at higher-than-average risk for substance abuse. Targeted individuals are identified on the basis of the nature and number of risk factors for substance use to which they may be exposed. The goal is to prevent the development of serious problems.
- Indicated programs (e.g., battered women-specific treatment programs). These target women who are already using or engaged in other high-risk behaviors in order to prevent chronic alcohol use and severe problems.
Based on this framework, several prevention and treatment strategies can be developed. The goal is to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors.
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Last Updated: 6/14/04
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