Date of issue: Tuesday 31 March 2009
…PRESS RELEASE… PRESS RELEASE… PRESS RELEASE…
Violence Prevention Scheme Unveiled
An international initiative that will aim to reduce and prevent violence will be launched
at the University of St Andrews this week (Tuesday, 31st March).
The Scottish Government, World Health Organisation and the University of St
Andrews will work in collaboration to reduce interpersonal violence in global regions.
The programme will target violence prevention in low and middle income countries,
utilising Scotland’s experience and expertise gained through the work of the Violence
Reduction Unit.
Professor Peter Donnelly from the University’s Bute Medical School is the project
leader.
He explained, “Violence is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide with
approximately 1.6 million lives lost and 16 million injuries incurred due to
interpersonal violence every year.
“Both the burden and impact of violence on development is greatest in low and
middle income countries with 90% of violence related deaths occurring in these
countries according to research by the WHO.
“This five-year initiative aims to support the development and implementation of
violence prevention policies.”
Mr Fergus Ewing MSP, Minster for Community Justice will attend the launch of the
£250,000 collaborative project. He said, "In Scotland, as with many other countries
in the world, violence is a real problem. Quite simply, it is killing and injuring too many
people, in particular young men who seem to think it's cool to carry a knife or get
involved in random violence.
"What we need is to change this culture and make people realise that violence is
preventable. It's good news that St Andrew's University will be working with the World
Health Organisation to help develop and implement violence prevention programmes
and evaluate work to reduce violence.
"I hope this initiative can help us see what the most effective projects are from a
number of different countries and ensure that polices and work to tackle violence
areas good as they can possibly be."
Alex Butchart of the World Health Organization Headquarters in Geneva will also
speak at the event to explain how the strategy will be implemented in selected
countries.
Dr Butchart, WHO Coordinator for Violence Prevention said, "This initiative comes at
a good time. Murder, rape and child abuse thrive where economic and social
inequalities are wide.
“The global economic recession may be widening the gap between rich and poor,
bringing with it increased risks of interpersonal violence - unless, as this initiative
aims to do, we take preventive action now".
Scottish experts from the Violence Reduction Unit and officials from the Health
Improvement Strategy and Community Safety Unit at the Scottish Government will
contribute to the programmes, sharing their knowledge and experience.
Academics from the University’s Bute Medical School and School of International
Relations will also be in attendance for the discussions which aim to strengthen a
multisectoral approach to violence prevention.
The event will be hosted by Dr Louise Richardson, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the
University of St Andrews. She said, "The University is delighted to work in
partnership with the Scottish Government and the World Health Organisation on such
an excellent example of knowledge transfer with practical value for low and middle
income countries."
The launch of the initiative will take place on Tuesday 31 st March from 11am to 1pm
in the Gateway building, North Haugh, St Andrews.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Professor Peter Donnelly is available for interview via the Press Office.
NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:
IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESS OFFICE – CONTACTS BELOW.
Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, Mobile: 07730 415 015 or Email:
fa12@st-andrews.ac.uk
Ref: Violence Prevention 310309
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk