Now victim advocates, who have accomplished so much, must extend their talents toward preventing victimization from ever happening. We already do a lot of work in the arena of preventing revictimization, but we must tender our efforts towards primary prevention, working with the young, at-risk population to stop them from becoming perpetrators altogether, stopping victimization before it starts. In the past we have provided some effort towards this end, but we need much more. We know for a fact that some youths exhibit early antisocial behavior signals. This creates an environment ripe for conversion from victim to perpetrator.
Domestic violence provides a stark, vivid example of the slow conversion process.
A child who grows up experiencing or observing the ill effects of a violent home learns this violent behavior provides a mechanism to deal with their own victimization. Make no mistake, not all children who experience violence learn to use violence, but become productive, contributing, and caring people who lead good lives and hurt no one. Research has shown us that there are a number of protective factors that provide a buffer against risk factors that cause delinquency and future adult criminality. It is those who exhibit the classic signs of aggression, isolation, and non-conforming behavior that we must consider applying our talents and resources to curb the development of an antisocial lifestyle. The earlier the intervention occurs, the more and better chances we have at helping curb future victimization.