Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Violence (A Study of University Students in Pakistan)

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence, public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to various forms of violence among educated Pakistani youth, specifically focusing on postgraduate university students. Understanding violence dynamics within this influential demographic is crucial for developing effective societal interventions. Employing a mixed-method survey approach, data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire-based interviews from a sample of 500 first-year postgraduate students (250 male, 250 female) across 11 public and private universities in five major cities of Pakistan (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta) between September and December 2009. The findings reveal a significantly high reported prevalence of violence experienced and used among the student population. The highest reported forms of violence experienced were verbal (91%) and emotional (85%), with verbal violence also showing the highest reported usage rate (82%). Furthermore, the study identified that violence is primarily encountered in institutional and familial settings, with 80% reporting experiencing violence in school/college and 77% at home. Parents and teachers were reported as the main perpetrators. Critically, the age group 11–15 years was identified as the period of highest risk for the initial practice of violence. The analysis suggests that exposure to violence often precedes its use, reinforcing a cycle of learned aggression. These results provide essential data for policymakers and social scientists aiming to design targeted, evidence-based strategies for violence prevention and behavioral change among Pakistani youth.