Question 1

Is violence really a public health issue?

Accepted Answer

Yes — WHO frames violence as a preventable public health problem, not an inevitable social feature. Violence kills over 1 million people per year, injures tens of millions more, and causes chronic disease, mental health disorders and social harm with long-term consequences. Like other health threats, violence has identifiable risk and protective factors, evidence-based prevention interventions and measurable outcomes — making public health approaches central to its reduction.

Question 2

How common is intimate partner violence?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 1 in 3 women globally — 736 million — experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. IPV is the most prevalent form of violence against women. 38% of female murder victims are killed by a male partner. IPV increases the risk of depression, PTSD, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease and a range of other health outcomes.

Question 3

What is child maltreatment?

Accepted Answer

Child maltreatment encompasses physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional/psychological abuse and neglect. Globally, 1 in 4 children experience physical abuse, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse. Maltreatment has profound lifelong consequences: depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, cardiovascular disease, reproductive health problems, educational failure and reduced economic productivity. ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) accumulate across the life course.

Question 4

What is WHO's INSPIRE framework?

Accepted Answer

INSPIRE provides seven evidence-based strategies for preventing violence against children: Implementation and enforcement of laws (against corporal punishment, child marriage); Norms and values (changing attitudes condoning violence); Safe environments; Parent and caregiver support; Income and economic strengthening; Response services (counselling, shelters, legal aid); Education and life skills. Countries implementing INSPIRE have demonstrated measurable reductions in child maltreatment rates.

Question 5

What is the RESPECT framework for violence against women?

Accepted Answer

RESPECT provides an integrated package for preventing violence against women across seven domains: Relationships skills building; Education and life skills; Safe environment creation; Poverty reduction; Employment and livelihood support; Challenging attitudes and social norms; Technology-based interventions. It addresses the multiple individual, relationship, community and societal factors that drive IPV — recognising that no single intervention is sufficient.

Question 6

How does violence affect mental health?

Accepted Answer

Violence is the leading environmental cause of mental health disorders. IPV survivors have 2-3 times higher rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Child maltreatment survivors have elevated lifetime rates of depression, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders and suicidal behaviour. Survivors of sexual violence are at particularly high risk of PTSD. Violence also disrupts neurodevelopment in children — with impacts on cognition, emotional regulation and social functioning that persist into adulthood.

Question 7

How does alcohol relate to violence?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol is involved in approximately 40-60% of violent crimes including domestic violence, sexual assault and homicide. Alcohol reduces inhibitions, impairs judgement and increases aggression. Alcohol policies — pricing, availability restrictions, advertising limits and enforcement of drink-driving laws — consistently reduce alcohol-related violence. Screening for alcohol use disorders in healthcare settings also identifies people at high risk of perpetrating or experiencing violence.

Question 8

What is the role of the health sector in violence prevention?

Accepted Answer

The health sector can: identify victims through routine enquiry in clinical settings; provide trauma-informed care; offer mental health support; document injuries for legal purposes; refer to specialist support services (shelters, legal aid, social work); advocate for preventive policies; and collect surveillance data. Healthcare workers — particularly primary care, emergency and obstetric staff — often have the first contact with victims and can interrupt cycles of violence through sensitive, confidential inquiry.

Question 9

What is elder abuse?

Accepted Answer

Elder abuse — physical, psychological, sexual, financial or neglectful mistreatment of older adults — affects approximately 1 in 6 people aged 60 and over globally. It is substantially underreported. It occurs in homes and care institutions. Risk factors include: caregiver stress, substance use, social isolation of the older adult, and dementia. WHO calls for integrated responses combining legal protection, support for caregivers and advocacy for older adults' rights.

Question 10

What is the relationship between firearms and violence?

Accepted Answer

Firearms substantially increase the lethality of violence: firearm homicide rates are dramatically higher in countries with high gun ownership. In the Americas, firearms are involved in 75% of homicides. Global targets to reduce illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) — including through the UN Programme of Action — are essential public health interventions. Buy-back programmes and universal background checks reduce firearm violence.

Question 11

What is self-directed violence?

Accepted Answer

Self-directed violence includes suicidal behaviour (ideation, attempts and completion) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). It is covered in detail under the GMJ Suicide Prevention hub. Self-directed violence and interpersonal violence share many risk factors — including childhood adversity, mental disorders, substance use, poverty and access to lethal means — and prevention strategies overlap.

Question 12

How does GMJ News cover violence and health?

Accepted Answer

GMJ News covers WHO Global Status Reports on Violence Prevention, INSPIRE and RESPECT implementation progress, IPV surveillance data, firearms policy and the long-term health consequences of violence. Violence prevention is directly relevant to PHIG's public health mandate and the Georgian Medical Journal's coverage of trauma, mental health and women's health.

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