Violence

Definitions of violence vary because violence is complex and multifaceted. A comprehensive definition is provided by the World Health Organization (2002), which characterizes violence as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation” (p. 4). Violence can take many forms, including microaggressions, verbal abuse, physical and sexual violence (e.g., battery, assault, murder), and even political or structural violence (e.g., policies that criminalize gender-nonconforming behavior or that authorize discrimination). This entry focuses on the high rates of verbal harassment/abuse and physical and sexual violence among trans people across the globe. It also addresses the ...