US Department of Peace: Legislation in the House of Representatives

In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) named violence as a leading worldwide health problem.

HR 808, a bill currently in legislation, is an initiative to establish a Department of Peace in the United States government. The bill is also known as the Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act. The bill calls for implementing proven, practical, non-violent solutions to reduce and prevent domestic and international violence.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

Interpersonal violence in the US was estimated to cost $300 billion in 2004, the last year that data was available. The $300 billion figure excludes war related injuries, but takes into account medical care, mental health care, and lost wages due to violence.

Intimate Partner Violence:

According to the Journal of American Medical Association, intimate partner violence is the single greatest cause of injury to women. Over 300,000 women a year experience intimate partner violence during their pregnancy. Two-thirds of men who beat their wives also beat their children.

In Detroit, MI, 80% of all police calls are related to "domestic" (intimate partner) violence. Municipal budgets are often strained due to the costs associated with domestic violence.

Gang Violence

Homicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24 (2001).

The number of homicides committed by 14-24 year olds has steadily been on the rise since 1985.

In Los Angeles the number of gang members outnumbers the number of police officers (2007).

School Violence:

The tragedy at Columbine (1999) brought school violence to light, and events like the massacre at Virginia Tech (2007) continue to remind us of the seriousness of school violence

According to a 2003 study, nearly 60% of boys who were classified as bullies in grades 6-9 were convicted of at least one crime by the age of 24. Even more dramatic, 40% of them had three or more convictions by age 24. ("Bullying Prevention is Crime Prevention")

Children in Jail: