This first comprehensive summary of the problem of violence on a global scale has the goals of raising awareness about the problem of violence globally and making the case that violence is preventable and that public health has a crucial role to play in addressing its causes and consequences. This report examines the types of violence that are present worldwide and that constitute the bulk of the health burden imposed by violence. A chapter is devoted to each of the following types of violence: youth violence, child abuse and neglect by parents and other caregivers, violence by intimate partners, abuse of the elderly, sexual violence, self-directed violence, and collective violence. For each of these types of violence, a chapter presents a definition of the specific type of violence; describes the magnitude and impact of this type of violence throughout the world; identifies the key risk factors for the specific type of violence; gives an account of the types of prevention, intervention, and policy responses that have been tried and summarizes what is known about their effectiveness; and offers recommendations for action at local, national, and international levels. Chapter tables, figures, and references