Violence

In general, a difference is made between a narrow and a broad definition of violence. The narrow definition only covers actions intentionally directed against the human body and its vulnerability This refers to physical and direct violence. This definition of violence can be expanded to psychological violence, which is usually expressed by language, symbols or images and also targets a person’s vulnerability.

The wider definition of violence also includes structural violence. This refers to social structures that lead to certain groups of people being restricted in the satisfaction of their basic needs. This definition of violence takes into account social hierarchies, asymmetrical positions of power, forms of social marginalization and discrimination as well as the unequal distribution of resources that are related to or responsible for human suffering and death. As these aspects often elude direct and everyday perception, in contrast to physical and psychological violence, the broad concept of violence has the advantage of making these mechanisms visible.

As well as the different approaches to defining the term, a difference is made between various forms of violence:

• Physical violence
• Psychological violence
• Sexualized violence
• Domestic violence
• Patriarchal violence (e.g. forced marriage, forced prostitution, female genital mutilation)
• Digital or cyber violence
• Stalking
• Bullying
• Politically motivated violence
• Organized crime

Sources: Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen  und Jugend; Bayrisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales; Chojnacki, Sven (2019): „Gewalt – eng oder weit? Skizzen einer Kontroverse“