Developing a domestic violence protocol for marriage education: Critical components and cautions

It is important for professionals involved in marriage education initiatives to address domestic violence. One way to do this is to create and use a violence protocol. This article discusses why this is important and reviews lessons learned from the development of a protocol in one federally funded marriage education initiative. Recommended components for violence protocols are reviewed, including mechanisms to encourage safety in disclosure and referral, sensitivity to culture, and understanding the scope and impact of domestic violence. The importance of collaboration with and adaptation to each community is discussed, and suggestions for educators, clinicians, and researchers are provided.