Causes of Violence

This document is the one of a series of technical notes that describe the nature and magnitude of violence in the region, its causes and effects, and how it can be prevented and controlled. The notes provide useful information on designing programs and policies to prevent and deal with violence. This note focuses on the causes of violence. The authors hold that violence is a complex phenomenon that has not one but many causes. Hence there is no single solution or response. In order to decrease the incidence of violence, one needs to identify the numerous factors that are associated with the phenomenon and implement a set of solutions designed to address the different root causes. The point of departure in the search for solutions must be an analysis of the factors that promote violence (risk factors) as well as the factors that inhibit violence (protection factors). This is the main task of this document.