Violence are all behaviors and situations that threaten the physical, psychological or moral integrity of people.
Behaviors associated with the use of violence can originate by learning, imitation or deliberately, and can be committed against an individual or group of people.
What is violence?
For the World Health Organization, violence implies the use of physical force not only against others, but against the person himself, and can have consequences such as trauma, psychological harm or death.
Although there is no single consensus for classifying the types of violence that exist, it is possible to make some general classifications according to the perpetrator of the aggression, the nature of the violent act and the setting in which it is carried out.
Types of violence according to the aggressor
There are three types of violence according to the perpetrator:
Self-inflicted violence
These are behaviors or acts that an individual exercises against him/herself, with the intention of causing physical or psychological harm or even death.
In self-inflicted violence, several triggering factors may be present, such as emotional disorders, trauma, depression, or the individual may be a victim of other types of violence that induce this behavior.
Self-injury or suicide are examples of self-inflicted violence.
Interpersonal violence
This type of violence is characterized because it is a harm or threat that is carried out from one person to another, or to a group of people.
The causes of this type of violence can be multiple, but are generally associated with social factors such as poverty or the absence of structures and institutions that allow the development of the individual’s potential (access to food, health, work, etc.).
Assaults are the most common example of interpersonal violence.
Collective violence
In this case, it is the aggression caused by one group towards another. These behaviors may be induced by political, religious or cultural factors, as well as by social inequalities that cause a majority group to exercise violence against minorities.
Tribal conflicts in some areas of Africa or attacks motivated by xenophobia (rejection of foreigners) are expressions of collective violence.
Types of violence according to the type of aggression
Violence can be classified according to the nature or type of harm it generates:
Physical violence
Are all violent actions executed with the purpose of causing harm to the body of another person.
Physical violence can have different levels, and can range from little visible actions (a scratch), to more forceful aggressions (blows, bleeding wounds) and even death.
A push, a kick, attempts to choke, slapping or pulling another person’s hair are examples of physical violence.
Psychological violence
These are all those behaviors exercised to damage the psyche of the individual. This type of violence is not always visible, and many victims may be unaware that they are suffering it.
An example of psychological violence is deliberately ignoring someone in need of care, as well as isolating them from their family or friends. This is a type of behavior closely associated with domestic violence.
Verbal violence
Verbal violence makes use of messages intended to generate discomfort in the affected person.
Although insults fall into this category, they are not always used to exercise this type of violence.
An example may be when a couple argues, and one of the two says something that without necessarily being insulting or rude, is violating the other person because its message is hurtful or deliberately seeks to harm.
Sexual violence
Are behaviors that violate the sexual integrity of another person, and involve the execution of acts or conduct without their consent.
Rape is a clear example of sexual violence that also involves psychological and physical violence. Street harassment or intimidation are also forms of violence.
See also Difference between sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual abuse.
Neglect
It is the type of violence that is characterized by the omission of actions that can generate welfare in another person or collective.
An example of negligence occurs when the police authorities do not act quickly in a rape case, or when a doctor omits to perform certain tests that could determine the existence of a disease.
Types of violence according to the scope of action
Violence can also be exercised in different spheres. In that case, it is classified into:
Political violence
Political violence is any act exercised from the legitimate power (the State) or its institutions to attack citizens.
This type of violence can be expressed through repressive actions, arbitrary detentions or forced disappearances.
Economic violence
It is the violation of other people’s right to use their money or assets. Although it can be exercised in various ways (from an employer to his employees, for example), it is very common in violent relationships, in which one of the partners prevents the other person from having access to his money, personal belongings, documents (credit cards, passport, etc.).
Religious violence
Involves the use of power to attack a minority group that does not share the same beliefs as the majority religious group.
However, religious violence can also occur when a group of people belonging to a particular belief is manipulated into surrendering some of their rights on behalf of the religious institution.
Forcing members of a religious community to give money, property or personal data is a form of religious violence.
Cultural violence
In this case, violent acts against a person or collective are influenced by the cultural context, which causes them to be perceived as natural or common occurrences.
In many families, child abuse is still perceived as a way to correct behaviors that are considered inappropriate. Cutting (the removal of the clitoris) is still a common practice in many undeveloped societies, even though this act involves physical, sexual and psychological violence.
Workplace violence
It is any violent act or conduct that takes place in the workplace, regardless of the hierarchy of the person who executes or is the victim of the action.
Shouting, insults, threats of dismissal, harassment or mockery are just some examples of workplace violence.
Cyberbullying (cyberbullying).
It is the attack on a person or groups of people through the use of digital channels (social networks, email, instant messaging, etc.).
Some examples of cyberbullying are the disclosure of another person’s private information without their consent, subjecting them to public scorn through social networks, etc.
See also:
Family or domestic violence
It is any type of violent act that is generated within the family nucleus. This may include various types of violence, such as physical, psychological, economic or sexual violence, and may occur between various family members (parents and children, partners, etc.).
Gender-based violence
Gender-based violence is any act that violates the rights and integrity of a person or group of people based on their sex, gender, sexual orientation or identity. This can include other types of violence and be expressed in different spheres.
With the above, it is understood that gender violence can manifest itself through physical, psychological, verbal, sexual acts, and can occur anywhere.
However, although any individual can be a victim of gender-based violence, it is usually women, girls and the LGBTI population who are the most vulnerable.
A very common example of gender-based violence is the mockery, aggression and disqualifications suffered by people from the LGBTI community.
Racial violence
It has to do with acts of aggression towards a person or group that is considered inferior or a minority because of their race.
Forced displacement of ethnic minority groups (such as the Rohingyas, a Muslim ethnic group in Myanmar) is an example of racial violence.
See also:
