News

5th November 2003

John Bowis MEP hosts meeting on violence and health

John Bowis - Member of the European Parliament for London and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group has hosted a World Health Organization meeting in the European Parliament on the Global Campaign for Violence Prevention attended by Lisbeth Palme, widow of the Swedish Prime Minister, Olaf Palme, who was assassinated in Stockholm 1986.

John Bowis Conservative Health Spokesman and a former UK Health Minister said, "More than 1.6 million people die as a result of violence every year. Over 540 adolescents and young adults die every day as a result of interpersonal violence; that's more than 20 deaths each hour. 1 in 2 female murder victims are killed by their male partners often during an ongoing abusive relationship. Millions of children suffer abuse and neglect. 1 in 20 older people experience some form of abuse in their home. These are just some of the figures that so starkly highlight the magnitude and impact of violence in the world.

"The WHO World Report on Violence and Health looks at child abuse and neglect, youth violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, elder abuse, self-inflicted violence and collective violence. It describes the types of prevention efforts that have been tried, and gives recommendations for action at international, national and local level."

John Bowis added, "This event aimed to increase awareness of the Global Campaign for Violence Prevention and the problems of violent behaviour and abuse. The presence of Lisbeth Palme at this event was a poignant reminder as to the devastating consequences violent behaviour can have. As Parliamentarians it is our duty for us to continue to promote the importance of this issue and campaign for appropriate action and resources to deal with the many facets of physical and psychological violence and its impact on health."