- Most of the worst affected countries are in Latin America.
- Mexico ranks sixth in the world.
- The WHO describes youth violence as a global public health problem.
Violence is on the rise all over the world. It is a situation that crosses borders because it affects everyone equally. Not even the Covid-19 pandemic could stop the current scenario that prevails on the planet. Although the truth is that some nations are the most affected because they are the ones with the highest homicide rate globally.
In this sense, the World Health Organization (WHO) describes youth violence as a global public health problem. It emphasizes that it includes a series of acts that range from intimidation and fights to homicide, through more serious sexual and physical assaults.
Magnitude of the problem
Currently, it is estimated that there are 200,000 homicides annually in the world among young people between the ages of 10 and 29. With this in mind, homicide is already the fourth cause of death in this sector of the population.
Homicide rates among young people are highly variable from one country to another and even within the same country. Globally, 83% of young homicide victims are male, and the majority of homicides are also male in all countries.
The youth homicide rates among women they are much lower than among men practically everywhere. Between 2000 and 2012 they fell in most countries, although the decline has been greater in high-income countries than in low- and middle-income countries.
For every young person who dies of violent causes, many others suffer injuries that require hospital treatment. Firearm attacks are more often fatal than punches, kicks, and stab attacks.
The sexual violence it also affects a considerable percentage of young people. For example, between 3% and 24% of women interviewed in the WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence stated that their first sexual experience was forced.
Physical fights and bullying are also common among young people. A study of 40 developing countries showed that an average of 42% of boys and 37% of girls were exposed to bullying.
Homicides and non-fatal violence among young people contribute enormously to the global burden of premature death, injury and disability, as well as having serious, often lifelong, impacts on a person’s psychological and social functioning.
forms of prevention
- Life skills and social development programs designed to help children and adolescents control their aggression, resolve conflicts, and acquire the social skills necessary to solve problems.
- Bullying prevention programs in schools.
- Programs to support parents and teach them positive parenting skills.
- Preschool programs that instill children with academic and social skills at an early age.
- Therapeutic approaches for youth who are at high risk of being involved in violence.
- Reduced access to alcohol.
- Measures to reduce the harmful use of drugs.
- Restriction of regulations for the acquisition and authorization of firearms.
- Formulation of community policies oriented towards the solution of problems.
- Programs to reduce concentrations of poverty and improve the urban environment.
For its part, the United Nations Organization (UN) points out that the The region with the highest homicide rate is Latin America. Most of the countries that lead this category are located in this area. In fact, Mexico is in sixth place, which confirms that it is a fairly close problem for everyone.