WHO study shows need to scale up violence prevention efforts

MANILA, Philippines - A new study on violence highlights the need to scale up violence prevention efforts, particularly homicide among males, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The study, entitled “The Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014,” showed that 475,000 people were murdered in 2012 and homicide is the third leading cause of death globally for males aged 15 to 44 years.

WHO said there is an urgent need for more decisive action to prevent violence.

“Despite indications that homicide rates decreased by 16 percent globally between 2000 and 2012, violence remains widespread. Non-fatal acts of violence take a particular toll on women and children,” WHO noted.

The study also showed that one in four children has been physically abused while one in five girls has been sexually abused and one in three women has been a victim of physical or sexual intimate partner violence at some point in her lifetime.

WHO, the United Nations Development Program and the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes jointly published the report.

Only one third of the 133 countries surveyed are implementing large-scale initiatives to prevent violence, such as bullying prevention programs, visits by nurses to families at risk and support to those who care for older people.

The study stated that just over half of the countries are fully enforcing a set of 12 laws generally acknowledged to prevent violence, although 80 percent of countries have enacted them.

“The consequences of violence on physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health often last a lifetime,” the study shows.

WHO director general Margaret Chang said violence also contributes to leading causes of death such as cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS, because victims are at an increased risk of adopting behaviors such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse and unsafe sex.

Chang noted “the consequences of violence on families and communities are profound, and can result in lifelong ill health for those affected.”