Violence

Running Head: VIOLENCE Topic: Violence Lecturer: Presentation: Violence The WHO defines violence as the intentional use of physical force to cause injury, psychological harm, deprivation, damage or death whether actual or threatened against oneself or others (WHO, 2002). Violence is mostly used a tool of manipulation especially by the males in order to prove their manhood. Some scholars believe the aggressive behavior is inherent in human beings while others believe it is as a result of socialization. According to the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), violence is a serious public health issue in the United States and accounts for 51, 000 deaths annually. WHO acknowledges that 1. 6million lives are lost worldwide due to violence especially those aged 15 to 44. Physical violence is the most common form of violence though other forms of violence such as rape, stalking. There are various risk factors that can be used to predict the occurrence of violence and preventive measures put in place to curb the crime before it occurs. The prevalence of firearms in the hands of the general public has been blamed for causing violence especially by the youth (Stellman, 1998). The firearms are used in robberies and to cause injuries to others or oneself especially if the handlers are mentally unstable or are aggressive. The firearms are also used as a means to manipulate others to get what they want. The media has also been under fire for its contribution to violence. Most films and TV movies involve violence and the youth become more aggressive by watching such programs. According to Berrios and Grady (1991), people who live with alcohol and drug abusers are at a risk of violence. For example, 67% of the victims of domestic violence who lived with the batterer, in 48% of the cases the batterer had an alcohol and drug problem. However, Chappell & Martino (2006) argue that substance use is not a direct factor as it depends on individual’s temperament. They view violence as arising from trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs. Cultural factors and family influence also put individuals at risk of violence. Children who are abused or poorly brought up have the tendency to be aggressive in nature during adulthood. Some are socialized into violence by tolerant cultures where violence is a norm and a means to achieve the ends. Stellman (1998) notes that poor interpersonal environment at the workplace such as discrimination and harassment is breeding ground for violence as those affected carry out retaliatory attacks. Poverty and inequality also contribute to violence. Personality factors such as psychopath, and inability to defer gratification is a risk to violence. Violence is associated with shame hence most of the cases are unreported. According to the findings from National Violence against Women Survey, physical assault was considered as the most common form of violence. 1. 9 million Women and 3. 2million men are physically assaulted annually in the US. 1m women and 371, 000 men are stalked annually. Rape is common among the young people compared to adults. According to the survey, more than half (54%) rape victims are aged 12 to 17. Women are at more risk of violence than men, the Indian native men and women experience more violent victimization and the Hispanic women are more likely to be raped than non-Hispanics. Intimate partner violence is also more prevalent than other forms of violence except robbery. 1. 3m women and 835, 000 men are assaulted annually by intimate partners. Violence is also more prevalent among the youth (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Youth violence is prevalent in the US and one program put in place by the center for disease and control and prevention to prevent such violence is ‘ Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere’ (STRYVE). (CDC, 2011). The program aims at creating awareness regarding existence of youth violence and that it can be prevented. It provides guidance to the community on how to prevent violence by reducing risk factors and promoting youth skills. It also helps to build positive relationships among the youth and the community as a whole. Most youth problems are a result of poor education and peer influence. The preventive measures are applied from childhood where most violent behaviors are learnt to adulthood so as to be effective. It involves collaboration of different sectors as youth problems are diverse and one sector alone cannot prevent violence. References Berrios, D., Grady, D (1991). ‘ Domestic Violence: Risk Factors and Outcomes’. Western Journal of Medicine, Vol. 155 (2): 133-135. CDC (2011). ‘ Injury Center: Violence Prevention’. Retrieved July 22, 2011 from http://www. cdc. gov/violenceprevention/pdf/STRYVE-a. pdf. Chappell, D., Martino, V (2006). Violence at Work, 3ed. Geneva: ILO. Stellman, J. (1998). Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, Vol II. Geneva: International Labor Organization. Tjaden, P., Thoennes, N (2000). Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence against Women: Findings from Violence against Women Survey. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. WHO ( October, 2002). Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability (VIP): World Report on Violence and Health. Retrieved July 22, 2011 from http://www. who. int/entity/violence-injury-prevention/violence/world-report/en/index. html.