UNFORTUNATELY, violence is a central part of the lives of many children and adolescents. In the United States, nearly 1 million children are the victims of physical or sexual abuse each year, and many more are victims of psychological and emotional abuse. It is estimated that 20% to 30% of all women experience intimate partner violence at some time during their lives; many do so during the years they are raising young children. Intimate partner violence and child abuse often intersect in the same families, producing consequences that may be much more harmful than either event alone. Bullying occurs frequently in our schools, and it is more common among elementary school students than those in high school. Teenage youth are involved in violence both as victims and perpetrators; the similarities between the 2 are striking. The roots of this violence begin in childhood, and most criminologists and psychologists believe that the most effective interventions are those that occur during the first 5 years of life.