Violence as a Tool of Manipulation - Essay Example

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 through other forms of violence such as rape, stalking. Various risk factors 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 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 an individual’s temperament. They view violence as arising from trafficking and the distribution of illicit drugs. Cultural factors and family influence also put individuals at risk of violence. Children who are abused or poorly brought up tend to be aggressive in nature da hood. Some are socialized into violence by tolerant cultures where violence is a norm and a means to achieve the ends. Stellman (1 notes that or 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 inhabit to defer gratification violence risk.

            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 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 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 Hispanic women are more likely to be raped than non-Hispanics. Intimate partner violence is also more prevalent than other forms of violence except for 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 control and prevention to prevent such violence is ‘Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere (STRYVE). (CDC, 2011). The program aims at creating awareness regarding the existence of youth violence and that it can be prevented. guides 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 child nowhere most violent behaviors are learned to learned so as to be effective. It involves collaboration of different sectors as youth problems are diverse and one sector alone cannot prevent violence.