Dubai, 11th December 2014 – The Global status report on violence prevention
2014 reveals that 475 000 people were murdered in 2012, and homicide is the
third leading cause of death globally for males aged 15-44 years, highlighting
the urgent need for more decisive action to prevent violence.
Despite
indications that homicide rates decreased by 16% globally between 2000 and
2012, violence remains widespread. Non-fatal acts of violence take a particular
toll on women and children. One in four children has been physically abused;
one in five girls has been sexually abused; and one in three women has been a
victim of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence at some point in her
lifetime.
Jointly
published today by the World Health Organization, the United Nations
Development Programme, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the
report indicates that:
Only one third
of the 133 countries surveyed are implementing large-scale initiatives to
prevent violence, such as bullying prevention programmes, visits by nurses to
families at risk, and support to those who care for older people;
Just over half the countries are fully enforcing a set
of 12 laws generally acknowledged to prevent violence, although 80% countries
have enacted them;
Only
half of all countries have services in place to protect and support victims of
violence.
The
consequences of violence on physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health
often last a lifetime. 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 behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, and
unsafe sex.
“The
consequences of violence on families and communities are profound, and can
result in lifelong ill health for those affected,” states Margaret Chan,
Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Yet we know what works to
prevent violence in our homes, schools and workplaces and on our streets and
playgrounds. We should take inspiration from governments which have
demonstrated success in reducing violence by taking the steps needed. They have
shown us that indeed violence is preventable.”
The
Global status report on violence prevention 2014 is the first report of
its kind to assess national efforts to address interpersonal violence, namely
child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner and sexual violence, and
elder abuse. Individual country profiles reflect the extent to which key
violence prevention programmes and laws and selected services for victims of
violence are being implemented.
The
report assessed the scale of implementation of 18 “best buy” violence
prevention programmes. It shows, for example, that:
· one half of countries are implementing school-based
programmes to teach children and adolescents “life-skills” such as non-violent
conflict resolution;
· one half of countries are promoting efforts to change
gender norms supportive of violence against women;
· one third of countries are putting in place programmes
to improve parenting in families at risk of violence
·
less than one
quarter of countries are developing public information campaigns to prevent
elder abuse.
"High
levels of family and community violence cripple both people’s ability to
sustain their individual livelihoods, as well as a nation’s options for political,
social, and economic development”, said Helen Clark, Administrator of the
United Nations Development Programme. "This report takes stock of the
measures countries are taking to prevent and respond to interpersonal violence,
but the report also reveals gaps in global violence prevention which must be
filled, such as the quality and reach of prevention programmes, the access to
services for victims, particularly for women and girls who are
disproportionately affected by violence, and the enforcement of existing
laws."
The
report also reviewed 12 laws which are relevant for violence prevention. It
shows, for example, that:
· 98% of countries have laws against rape;
· 87% of countries have laws against domestic violence;
· 84% of countries have laws against carrying weapons in
schools;
·
40% of countries
have laws against abuse in institutions for older people.
On
average 80% of countries have enacted each of these 12 laws relevant for
violence prevention. However, only just over half of countries report that
these laws are fully enforced.
“Laws
protecting citizens against violent crime send a clear message to society about
what is acceptable,” said Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. “With this Global status report on
violence prevention 2014, we have a useful tool for identifying the gaps in
legislation and enforcement in countries, which can help to indicate what
further action is needed to ensure reductions in violent crime.”
Providing
care and support to victims of violence is important for reducing psychological
trauma, helping victims heal, and preventing further involvement in violence.
Despite strong evidence linking experiences of violence to mental health
problems, under half of countries have mental health services to address victim
needs, with only 15% of countries in Africa offering such services. Over two
thirds of countries make available child protection services and medico-legal
services for victims of sexual violence.
The
Global status report on violence prevention 2014 calls for a scaling up
of violence prevention programmes in all countries; stronger legislation and
enforcement of laws relevant for violence prevention; strengthened justice and
security institutions to uphold the rule of law; and enhanced services for
victims of violence. It also advocates for better and more effective use of
data to inform violence prevention programming and to measure progress. The
report is intended for use by governments to help identify gaps and encourage
and guide actions, and by nongovernmental organizations and experts to assist
governments in their efforts.
