violences

Violence refers to the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, that causes or is likely to cause injury, death, psychological harm, or deprivation. It encompasses overt acts as well as patterns of harm embedded in social structures.

Types and scope: Direct violence includes physical assault, sexual violence, and homicide. Indirect or structural violence refers to social arrangements—such as poverty, discrimination, and unequal access to resources—that place people at a higher risk of harm. There is also self-directed violence (suicide and self-harm) and collective violence (war, terrorism, state repression).

Interpersonal violence occurs within families and intimate relationships, including child abuse and domestic violence. Gender-based violence targets people because of gender. Economic or political violence uses resources, status, or policies to control or harm others.

Causes are complex and multilevel, involving individual factors (trauma), relationships (peer networks), communities (norms, networks), and society (poverty, conflict, legal systems).

Impacts include physical injury and disability, mental health problems, infectious disease risk, reproductive health consequences, displacement, and economic costs to individuals and societies.

Measurement and research use data from health care, law enforcement, and population surveys; estimates are often provided by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Definitions and reporting practices vary across contexts.

Prevention and response emphasize reduction of risk exposure, legal protection, health care and social services, evidence-based intervention programs, and safe environments. A rights-based approach seeks to reduce disparities that fuel violence and to promote accountability and support for victims.