Building toward a violence-free 2040: Lessons from community leaders and researchers 

What would the world look like in 2040 if violence prevention efforts truly succeeded? This question brought together researchers, policy advocates, and direct service providers at Esperanza United’s Research and Policy Advisory Council Roundtable in June 2025. 

United in their commitment to ending domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and human trafficking, participants identified concrete steps to bridge the gap between today’s reality and tomorrow’s possibilities. 

Through collaborative discussions, experts shared evidence of effective prevention work already happening. For example, community centers providing holistic services demonstrate significant impact by shifting from deficit-based to strength-based approaches – no longer asking what is wrong with families but rather what resources families need to thrive. These centers call themselves “community stores” rather than “food pantries,” removing stigma while maintaining dignity. 

Drawing from both research and practice, roundtable participants emphasized how economic security and violence prevention are deeply interconnected. Emergency cash assistance effectively prevents both poverty and violence cycles, with policy experts noting that when families have their basic needs met, child protective services reports decrease. 

Our group also noted how the promise of integrated healthcare. Rather than adding more screening forms to overburdened systems, our experts envisioned interdisciplinary teams and community health workers providing wraparound services where addressing intimate partner violence becomes as routine as checking blood pressure.  

At the beginning, a violence-free world seemed like a far-distant impossibility. After hours in community with brilliant changemakers, picturing our goal, brainstorming interdisciplinary strategies to reach it, and uplifting one another with tales of active progress being made, a violence-free future felt like a tangible goal. 

Shifting our focus from how far we have left to go to what we know we can accomplish, we were reminded of our collective strength. In the words of Lupe Serrano, one of the co-founders of Esperanza United: “When you start with problems, you get programs. When you start with strengths, you get possibilities.” With the strength of our communities, our collective wisdom, and our determination at the center, we see endless possibilities.   

Thank you to everyone who participated – we are so grateful to be walking this path with you. Together, in community, we can build a world free of violence.