Public Health Approach to Violence
The Public Health Approach to Violence is a preventative, evidence-informed
framework that views violence not simply as an issue of individual criminal
behaviour but as a preventable public health problem influenced by social,
economic, psychological and environmental factors. Rather than focusing solely
on responding to violence after it occurs, the approach seeks to identify risk
factors, strengthen protective factors and intervene early to prevent violence
across individuals, families, communities and society. Within social work, the
Public Health Approach promotes early intervention, multi-agency collaboration
and trauma-informed practice, recognising that violence is often shaped by
adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), inequality, poverty, social exclusion and
community disadvantage (World Health Organization, 2002).
The Public Health Approach originated within public health and epidemiology
during the late twentieth century. The World Health Organization (WHO) played a
leading role in promoting violence as a preventable health issue through its
landmark report World Report on Violence and Health (2002). Rather than
viewing violence solely through a criminal justice lens, the WHO argued that
violence could be understood in the same way as infectious diseases or other
public health problems: by identifying patterns, understanding causes, reducing
risk factors and implementing preventative interventions. More recently, the
approach has been adopted widely across the United Kingdom through the
introduction of Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) and the Serious Violence Duty
established under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
A central principle of the Public Health Approach is that violence is preventable
rather than inevitable. Although violence has complex causes, research
demonstrates that reducing exposure to known risk factors while strengthening
protective factors can significantly reduce the likelihood of violence occurring.
The approach adopts a population-based perspective, recognising that
preventing violence requires action at multiple levels rather than focusing solely
on individuals who offend. This is commonly understood through the Social
Ecological Model, which considers influences at four interconnected levels:
Individual factors – age, mental health, substance misuse, trauma,
emotional regulation and neurodevelopment.
, Relationship factors – family relationships, parenting, domestic abuse,
peer influence and social support.
Community factors – schools, neighbourhoods, housing, employment
opportunities, community cohesion and local services.
Societal factors – poverty, inequality, discrimination, social policies,
cultural norms and access to education or healthcare.
Understanding violence within this wider context enables practitioners to address
underlying causes rather than simply responding to incidents.
The Public Health Approach also focuses on identifying risk and protective
factors.
Common risk factors include:
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Exposure to domestic abuse.
Childhood neglect or abuse.
Substance misuse.
School exclusion.
Poverty.
Social isolation.
Community violence.
Poor mental health.
Common protective factors include:
Secure attachment.
Positive parenting.
Stable housing.
Educational engagement.
Supportive peer relationships.
Community participation.
Employment opportunities.
Access to healthcare and support services.
Strengthening protective factors is viewed as equally important as reducing risk.
Another important principle is prevention across three levels.
The Public Health Approach to Violence is a preventative, evidence-informed
framework that views violence not simply as an issue of individual criminal
behaviour but as a preventable public health problem influenced by social,
economic, psychological and environmental factors. Rather than focusing solely
on responding to violence after it occurs, the approach seeks to identify risk
factors, strengthen protective factors and intervene early to prevent violence
across individuals, families, communities and society. Within social work, the
Public Health Approach promotes early intervention, multi-agency collaboration
and trauma-informed practice, recognising that violence is often shaped by
adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), inequality, poverty, social exclusion and
community disadvantage (World Health Organization, 2002).
The Public Health Approach originated within public health and epidemiology
during the late twentieth century. The World Health Organization (WHO) played a
leading role in promoting violence as a preventable health issue through its
landmark report World Report on Violence and Health (2002). Rather than
viewing violence solely through a criminal justice lens, the WHO argued that
violence could be understood in the same way as infectious diseases or other
public health problems: by identifying patterns, understanding causes, reducing
risk factors and implementing preventative interventions. More recently, the
approach has been adopted widely across the United Kingdom through the
introduction of Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) and the Serious Violence Duty
established under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
A central principle of the Public Health Approach is that violence is preventable
rather than inevitable. Although violence has complex causes, research
demonstrates that reducing exposure to known risk factors while strengthening
protective factors can significantly reduce the likelihood of violence occurring.
The approach adopts a population-based perspective, recognising that
preventing violence requires action at multiple levels rather than focusing solely
on individuals who offend. This is commonly understood through the Social
Ecological Model, which considers influences at four interconnected levels:
Individual factors – age, mental health, substance misuse, trauma,
emotional regulation and neurodevelopment.
, Relationship factors – family relationships, parenting, domestic abuse,
peer influence and social support.
Community factors – schools, neighbourhoods, housing, employment
opportunities, community cohesion and local services.
Societal factors – poverty, inequality, discrimination, social policies,
cultural norms and access to education or healthcare.
Understanding violence within this wider context enables practitioners to address
underlying causes rather than simply responding to incidents.
The Public Health Approach also focuses on identifying risk and protective
factors.
Common risk factors include:
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Exposure to domestic abuse.
Childhood neglect or abuse.
Substance misuse.
School exclusion.
Poverty.
Social isolation.
Community violence.
Poor mental health.
Common protective factors include:
Secure attachment.
Positive parenting.
Stable housing.
Educational engagement.
Supportive peer relationships.
Community participation.
Employment opportunities.
Access to healthcare and support services.
Strengthening protective factors is viewed as equally important as reducing risk.
Another important principle is prevention across three levels.
