SafetyLit.org began in 1995 as an update service for literature about the prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries. Over the years, its scope expanded to include all unintentional injuries, interpersonal violence and self-harm. Many distinct professional disciplines publish material relevant to preventing injuries or promoting safety. These range from agriculture, anthropology, and architecture through zoology.

Until the summer of 2013, SafetyLit was funded primarily through USA government grants and contracts. With the "sequester" most government funding sources have ended. The SafetyLit Foundation was founded later that year and was recognized as a 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in 2014.

Through the years SafetyLit has absorbed other literature databases as their funding evaporated. Among these was the VioLit database that had been operated by the University of Colorado at Boulder. VioLit contained records of journal articles and technical reports related to interpersonal violence against children and adolescents or violent acts committed by them.

The SafetyLit Foundation is a 501(C)(3) public charity. Please donate to us to keep SafetyLit.org free for all.