Overview and Summary: Societal Violence: What is Our Response?

Abstract

In recent years, we have focused an enormous amount of attention on societal violence, in particular violence that affects the nation's youth. Violent acts, such as the shootings at Columbine (1999), Virginia Tech (2007), Aurora Movie Theater (2012), and more recently at the Sandy Hook Elementary school (2013) have had a profound effect on today's youth and adults. These shootings are examples of societal violent acts; however, other forms of societal violence occur every day throughout the United States.So what Is violence? What Is societal violence? How does societal violence affect us? These seem like simple questions that are easy to answer, but understanding violence is complicated. First, many researchers have differing conceptualizations of what violence is, thus leading to a plethora of definitions. The World Health Organization (WHO. 2002! provides the most comprehensive definition of violence. WHO defines violence as:The Intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting In injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation (pg. 5).In addition to defining violence, WHO (2002) differentiates violence into three categories: self-directed violence (e.g., suicide), interpersonal violence (e.g., intimate partner violence or community violence), and collective violence (e.g., social or political violence). Although, WHO does not specifically define societal violence, I suggest that societal violence is a blending of community and social violence. Societal violence can range from an interpersonal act of violence between two people on the playground to a mass shooting by one person. These examples of violence can have a profound effect on families, local communities, and society as a whole.Violence In society can range from a simple assault to homicide (Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2013J. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2013J from 1992 to 2011, there was a 49% decrease in homicides. In addition, from 1994 to 2011, there was a decrease in intimate partner violence (IPV) for females (72%) and for males (64%). Homicides among youth declined by 22%; however, this age group still had the highest homicide rate. Despite the declination of homicides, there was actually an increase In violent victimizations (rape, sexual assault, robbery, simple and aggravated assault) for those 12 years and older from 2011-2012.Researchers have explored the influence societal violence has on the victims. For example, Graham-Bermann and Seng (2005) and Kelly (2010) found that exposure to this violence has an Immediate direct negative Impact on youths' physical and mental health. Further, there is evidence showing that the consequences of violence can continue to have a lasting Impact on their adult lives (Scarpa. 2001J. The lasting effect of exposure to violence on youth In our society warrants and deserves attention from healthcare professionals, such as nurses.Nurses are in a distinct position to facilitate preventive methods geared toward decreasing societal violence. Nurses practice in a variety of settings that enable them to Interact with those who have experienced or are experiencing some form of violence. In this OJIN topic, different forms of societal violence are presented, along with preventive strategies that nurses may Incorporate in to their practice. Please join me in exploring the various forms of societal violence discussed and learn about how nurses can have a positive Influence on those most at risk.The Introductory article, People 2020 Objectives for Violence Prevention and the Role of Nursing. by Simon and Hurvltz, offers an overview of violence In todays' society, a public health approach to preventing violence, and discusses how nurses are an Integral part of violence prevention. The authors describe objectives related to violence prevention, one of the targeted goals for Healthy People 2020. …