13.3 Violence & Health

Question 1

What is the definition of violence?

Answer 1

Is the international use of physical force/power, threatened or actual, against one or many people (community) that either results in high likelihood of injury, death, psychological harm or deprivation

Question 2

What are the types of violence and explain what they are?

Answer 2

1. Self-directed
   
   1. Suicide, self-harm
2. Interpersonal
   
   1. Family & intimate partner violencee e.g. domestic violence, child abuse
   2. Community violence e.g. rape, youth violence (against individuals who are unrelated)
3. Collective
   
   1. Social e.g. terrorist groups, organised groups
   2. Political e.g. war, state violence
   3. Economic e.g. attacks by larger groups motivated by economic gain

Question 3

What is structural violence?

Answer 3

These are social arrangments that puts people in harms way (follows the path of vulnerability e.g. HIV - link between health and poverty)

Question 4

What is the nature of violent acts?

Answer 4

1. Physical
2. Sexual
3. Psychological
4. Deprivation or neglect

Question 5

How public health can limit violence?

Answer 5

• Programmes supporting families and parents
• Developing life skills in children
• Working with high risk groups (those in the most deprived areas)

Question 6

Explain some information regarding child abuse

Answer 6

• GIRLS are at greater risk of sexual abuse than boys
• 2/3 of sexual abuse perpetrators are other children/young people

Question 7

Explain youth violence

Answer 7

• 16-24 year olds suffer higher levels of violence
• HALF of all violence reported by adults is due to 16-24 year olds

Question 8

Explain gangs

Answer 8

• Vulnerable teenagers targetted by gangs
• Children have been groomedd into gangs and criminal behaviour
  
  • Kids = victims

Question 9

What are the risk factors of violence and being part of a gang?

Answer 9

1. INDIVIDUAL
   
   1. Lack of empathy and guilt
   2. Physical violence and aggression
   3. Previous criminal activity
2. FAMILY
   
   1. ​Family poverty
   2. Family violence and abuse
   3. Anti-social parents
3. SCHOOL
   
   1. ​Low commitment to school (absent)
4. PEER GROUP
   
   1. ​Peers
   2. Fear of pear rejection
5. COMMUNITY
   
   1. ​Neighbourhood
   2. Availability of drugs
   3. Unemployment

Question 10

What are the general impacts of violence?

Answer 10

1. Physical injuries
2. Mental and emotional impact
3. Impact on employment and education
4. Social impact (reject intimacy)
5. Health behaviours (increase alcohol and drug use, eating and sleeping pattern changes)
6. Homelessness
7. Behaviour problems
8. Further violence
9. Worsening health inequalities

Question 11

What are the risk factors of youth violence?

Answer 11

1. Male
2. Neglect & abuse in childhood
3. Personality traits e.g. hyperactivity
4. Poor family functioning
5. Domestic violence
6. Deliquent peers & gang involvement
7. Alcohol consumption
8. Living in a high crime area
9. Social inequality

Question 12

What are the risk factors of intimate partner and sexual violence?

Answer 12

1. Female gender
2. Younger age
3. Lower household income
4. Being single, co-habiting, separated or divorced
5. Living in areas of high physical disorder
6. Alcohol consumption (perpetrators and victims)
7. Controlling and jealous partner
8. Childhood abuse (perpetrators and victims)
9. Gender inequality
10. Cultural norms tolerant of violence

Question 13

How to prevent violence?

Answer 13

1. Supporting families and parents
2. Developing life skills in children and young people
3. Working with high risk youth and gangs
4. Reducing the availability and harmful use of alcohol
5. Community interventions
6. Changing social norms that support violence
7. Identification, care and support
8. Policies aimed at tackling the drivers of violence – drug, mental health, alcohol
9. Policies aimed at tackling violence