Authors: Elizabeth Dozois; Lana Wells; Claire V. Crooks

Date: February-2016

Many of the precursors of domestic violence emerge in childhood and adolescence when the skills and behaviors that govern relationships are acquired. Subsequently, supporting the development of healthy relationship skills among children and youth is a key lever for primary prevention of domestic violence. Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a helpful and complementary framework for violence prevention, as it focuses on developing the core processes by which children and youth learn to regulate emotions, care for others, develop healthy relationships, and make good choices. In the province of Alberta, Canada, this approach is currently being implemented and tested through a population-based, multi-level strategy designed to promote socio-emotional learning in youth and create the socio-cultural resources and supports required to ensure success of the strategy.