Why take a public health approach to violence?

Stopping violence isn’t just about telling people to behave better.

The bigger picture matters too. Problems such as inequality, systemic failures and harmful cultural norms can create environments where violence is more likely to occur.

Public health leaders can work with individuals who have experienced, or may be at risk of engaging in, violence to understand underlying issues and support wider societal changes that help reduce violence in our communities.

Why is violence a public health issue?

Violence is recognised and treated as a public health issue by organisations from the WHO to the UK Government. It causes physical injury, trauma and mental health problems (such as PTSD and depression), creates economic burdens through lost wages and healthcare costs, and is linked to chronic disease. Violence is a global issue with wide-ranging impacts on individuals, communities and society as a whole.

What does a public health approach to violence look like?

A public health approach to violence focuses on prevention. In practice, this includes:

• Primary prevention: stopping violence before it happens
• Secondary prevention: early intervention to prevent escalation or harm among those experiencing violence
• Tertiary prevention: responding to prevent harm recurring and minimise long-term harm

What are the structural factors contributing to violence?

Violence doesn’t affect everyone equally. Public health leaders also need to consider the structural factors that can contribute to it.

Evidence shows that men and women experience it differently. Men, on average, are more likely to be victims of physical violence from other men, while women are more likely to experience sexual and domestic violence. 

It is also important to understand the social and economic factors that can increase someone’s risk of experiencing or engaging in violence.

These can include alcohol and substance misuse, mental health problems, financial difficulties and homelessness. Addressing these underlying drivers can help reduce violence and its associated harms across society.

Engaging men and boys in violence prevention

Recent research indicates positive outcomes from engaging men and boys in violence prevention.

Researchers found that using a trauma-informed approach helped to build positive relationships, trust and meaningful discussion with participants. In practice, this means creating spaces where men and boys feel safe to share their experiences and where compassionate, constructive conversations can take place.

Recognising that experiences of violence are often connected to other factors like substance misuse, financial difficulties and mental health problems was also important. Feedback from programmes highlighted that using positive, non-judgemental language helped improve engagement and foster open discussion, for example by avoiding terminology that can feel blaming or stigmatising, such as ‘toxic masculinity’.

This approach can support the co-production of further programmes that help men and boys who may be at risk to avoid engaging in violence, ultimately reducing violence and the harms it causes across society.

Violence prevention and reduction in practice

Violence prevention and reduction training that supports people to apply a public health approach in their day-to-day roles has been shown to have positive outcomes.

RSPH’s introduction to violence prevention and reduction training addresses the root causes of violence and abuse by considering individual trauma and distress alongside wider societal and environmental factors such as health inequalities. It equips learners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to identify triggers, prevent violence and support positive organisational culture change.

Feedback from participants found that a majority felt more confident in their ability to prevent or reduce violence within their organisations after completing the training.