Peace Over Violence

Peace Over Violence
Name	Peace Over Violence
Type	Nonprofit
Founded	1971
Founder	Margot (Margaret) Marsh
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Area served	Southern California, United States
Focus	Sexual assault prevention, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, human trafficking

Peace Over Violence

Peace Over Violence is a Los Angeles–based nonprofit organization focused on preventing sexual and interpersonal violence and supporting survivors. Founded in 1971 during the rise of the modern feminist movement and the women's liberation movement, the organization developed services that intersect with public health, criminal justice, and community activism. Its work engages with municipal institutions such as the Los Angeles County offices, collaborates with universities including University of California, Los Angeles and University of Southern California, and partners with national bodies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

History

Peace Over Violence traces origins to anti-war and anti-rape activism of the early 1970s after events such as the protests surrounding the Vietnam War and the emergence of organizations like National Organization for Women and Ms. (magazine). Early founders drew from survivor-led collectives influenced by the Roe v. Wade era of reproductive rights and the legal aftermath of cases such as People v. Turner and other high-profile criminal trials. Over decades the group adapted through collaborations with municipal agencies like the Los Angeles Police Department and federal programs under the Office on Violence Against Women, while engaging academic partners such as California State University, Northridge and Pepperdine University.

Mission and Programs

The organization’s mission centers on prevention of sexual violence and provision of crisis services, echoing goals of advocacy networks such as National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and RAINN. Core programs include crisis hotlines modeled after services from Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, bilingual counseling reminiscent of initiatives at Mujeres de la Tierra and survivor advocacy similar to services at Planned Parenthood. It operates direct service units comparable to those at The Trevor Project for youth and aligns with trauma-informed practices used by institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital and Kaiser Permanente.

Advocacy and Policy Work

Peace Over Violence engages in legislative advocacy interacting with statutes like the Violence Against Women Act and regulations administered by the Department of Justice. The group has submitted policy recommendations to city councils such as the Los Angeles City Council and state legislators in the California State Legislature, and participates in coalitions alongside organizations including Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and ACLU of Southern California. Its policy efforts interface with criminal justice reforms debated in venues like the United States Congress and with public health frameworks promoted by the World Health Organization.

Community Education and Prevention

Community education efforts include school-based curricula implemented in districts like the Los Angeles Unified School District and training workshops for first responders in coordination with the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department. Prevention curricula draw on evidence from researchers at University of California, Berkeley, Columbia University, and Harvard University School of Public Health, and echo best practices promoted by organizations such as Futures Without Violence and Safe Horizon. Outreach spans community centers in neighborhoods across South Los Angeles and partnerships with cultural institutions such as the Getty Center for public awareness programming.

Research and Impact

Peace Over Violence conducts program evaluations and collaborates on research with academic partners including University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Stanford University, California State University, and national research bodies like the National Institutes of Health. Impact assessments reference methodologies used by scholars publishing in journals affiliated with American Public Health Association and draw comparisons to studies by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on intimate partner violence prevalence. The organization’s data has informed municipal reports prepared for Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and initiatives funded through foundations such as the Ford Foundation and the Annenberg Foundation.

Funding and Organization

Funding streams for Peace Over Violence reflect typical nonprofit portfolios, including grants from foundations like the MacArthur Foundation, federal grants via the Office on Violence Against Women, local government contracts with Los Angeles County, and private philanthropy from donors linked to institutions such as the Weingart Foundation and corporate partners similar to Kaiser Permanente. Governance includes a board of directors with members drawn from law firms, universities including University of Southern California, and health systems like Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The organizational model aligns with standards set by nonprofit associations such as Independent Sector.

Notable Campaigns and Partnerships

Notable campaigns have included public awareness initiatives timed with national observances like Domestic Violence Awareness Month and partnerships with media outlets such as Los Angeles Times and public broadcasters like KCET. Collaborative efforts with survivor networks and coalitions have involved groups like California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and local shelters coordinated with YWCA Greater Los Angeles. Cross-sector partnerships have connected Peace Over Violence with universities including University of California, Los Angeles and healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente for campus safety programs and trauma-informed care campaigns.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles Category:Organizations established in 1971