Private College Saint Antoine de Padou

Violence in the world

Presented by:
Modou Fall
Abba Diémé
Adama Kandé
Aïssatou Sonko
Mansata Diatta
Fatou Dione Mané
Ramatoulaye Badji
Cheikh Tidiane Sané
Diénéba Baldé Diallo
Astou Kombé Aïmo Badji

Under the supervision of:

Mr. Goundiame English teacher

Contents

Introduction 0
0.1 The types of violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
0.1.1 Self-directed violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
0.1.2 Interpersonal violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
0.1.3 Collective violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
0.2 Causes and consequences of violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
0.3 Solutions to fight against violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Conclusion 4

i
Introduction

The word violence comes from the Latin vis, which means "force exerted against someone".
According to the WHO1 , violence is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual,
against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high
likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation. So in this
exercise where the question is about violence in the world we will first talk about the types of violence
then second we will determine the causes and consequences of violence and third we will find solutions
to fight against it.

0.1 The types of violence

The World Health Organization (WHO) divides violence into three broad categories:

• Self-directed violence

• Interpersonal violence

• Collective violence

This initial categorization differentiates between violence that a person inflicts upon themself, violence
inflicted by another individual or by a small group of individuals, and violence inflicted by larger groups
such as states, organized political groups, militia groups and terrorist organizations. Alternatively, vio-
lence can primarily be classified as either instrumental or reactive/hostile.
Suicide cases are reported, particularly among young people, due to academic, economic, or social pres-
sures. Some adults also take their own lives due to financial difficulties, family conflicts, or psychological
disorders.

0.1.1 Self-directed violence

Self-directed violence is subdivided into suicidal behaviour and self-abuse. The former includes
suicidal thoughts, attempted suicides—also called para suicide or deliberate self-injury in some coun-
tries—and suicide itself. Self-abuse, in contrast, includes acts such as self-mutilation.

0.1.2 Interpersonal violence

Interpersonal violence is divided into two subcategories: Family and intimate partner violence—that
is, violence largely between family members and intimate partners, usually, though not exclusively, tak-
ing place in the home. Community violence—violence between individuals who are unrelated, and who
may or may not know each other, generally taking place outside the home. The former group includes
forms of violence such as child abuse and child corporal punishment, intimate partner violence
1
World Health Organization

0
and abuse of the elderly. The latter includes youth violence, random acts of violence, rape or sexual
assault by strangers, and violence in institutional settings such as schools, workplaces, prisons and
nursing homes. When interpersonal violence occurs in families, its psychological consequences can affect
parents, children, and their relationship in the short and long-terms.
Students and teachers are sometimes victims of verbal or physical assault. For example, cases of harass-
ment and fights between students have been reported in some schools and universities.

Figure 1: Intense conflict between two individuals

1
0.1.3 Collective violence
Collective violence is the instrumental use of violence by people who identify themselves as members
of a group–whether this group is transitory or has a more permanent identity–against another group or
set of individuals in order to achieve political, economic or social objectives. Unlike the other two broad
categories, the subcategories of collective violence suggest possible motives for violence committed by
larger groups of individuals or by states. Collective violence that is committed to advance a particular
social agenda includes, for example, crimes of hate committed by organized groups, terrorist acts and
mob violence. Political violence includes war and related violent conflicts, state violence and similar acts
carried out by armed groups. There may be multiple determinants of violence against civilians in such
situations. Economic violence includes attacks motivated by economic gain—such as attacks carried
out with the purpose of disrupting economic activity, denying access to essential services, or creating
economic division and fragmentation. Clearly, acts committed by domestic and subnational groups can
have multiple motives. Slow violence is a long-duration form of violence which is often invisible (at least
to those not impacted by it), such as environmental degradation, pollution and climate change.
Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement have occurred during political protests, particularly
during election periods or following contested government decisions. For example, in 2021 and 2023,
demonstrations linked to the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko led to riots, looting, and violent
clashes with security forces, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

Figure 2: image of political demonstrations in Senegal in 2021

2
0.2 Causes and consequences of violence
Violence is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes. There is therefore no single solution to
understanding it and implementing a set of solutions to address its various root causes. This is the
major challenge in combating violence. The search for solutions must begin with an analysis of the
factors that promote violence (risk factors) and the factors that inhibit it (protective factors). In a
given situation, the likelihood of violence occurring increases with the number of risk factors; the risk
of violence decreases with the number of protective factors. Often, these factors cannot be attributed
to a single factor, such as associates, leisure activities, or the social environment. Many elements may
be at play, including the following:

• Desperation and despair: Sometimes people resort to violence when they are oppressed,
discriminated against, socially isolated, or economically deprived or when they feel that they have
no control over their life.

• The mob spirit: As is often seen at sporting events, people in groups or mobs seem to have fewer
inhibitions against bad behavior. Why? They are “less aware of their own moral standards and
are much more likely to respond to violent or aggressive cues,” says the book Social Psychology.
Such individuals, states another work, may become mindless puppets, losing “all the feelings of
social responsibility.”

• Alcohol and drug abuse: Substance abuse not only impairs physical and mental health but
also inhibits control centers in the brain. A result is that a person under the influence may become
more prone to violent behavior and respond more aggressively to provocation.

However, violence has profound consequences for individuals, communities, and societies. Its impact
can be physical, psychological, social, and economic. Here are some of its main consequences:

• Physical Consequences One of the most immediate effects of violence is physical harm. Vic-
tims may suffer from injuries, disabilities, or even death. For example, in cases of interpersonal
violence, victims can experience broken bones, wounds, or permanent disabilities. Additionally,
self-directed violence such as suicide leads to tragic loss of life.

• Psychological and Emotional Consequences Violence leaves deep psychological scars.

Victims often experience trauma, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Children who grow up witnessing violence may develop emotional instability and aggression later in
life. In extreme cases, long-term exposure to violence can lead to suicidal thoughts and self-harm.

• Economic Consequences The economic impact of violence is significant. Medical costs for
treating injuries, psychological counseling, and rehabilitation impose financial burdens on indi-
viduals and healthcare systems. Additionally, violence leads to loss of productivity when victims
are unable to work. In communities affected by collective violence, businesses suffer, investments
decline, and economic growth slow.

0.3 Solutions to fight against violence

The problem of violence requires comprehensive solutions at the individual, community and institu-
tional levels. Here are some key solutions:

3
 • Education and Awareness: Promote peace education in schools to teach children non-violent
conflict resolution.
Organize awareness campaigns on the consequences of violence and the importance of tolerance.
Encourage gender equality education to reduce gender-based violence.

• Strengthening Laws and Justice System: Enforce strict laws against all forms of violence,
including domestic, sexual, and political violence.
Ensure fair trials and effective law enforcement to prevent impunity.
Provide legal support and protection for victims of violence.

• Conflict Resolution and Mediation: Establish mediation centers to resolve disputes peacefully
in communities.
Train community leaders and police in non-violent conflict resolution.
Encourage dialogue between opposing groups to reduce collective violence.

Combating violence requires a multidimensional approach that involves governments, communities, fam-
ilies, and individuals. By promoting education, justice, economic opportunities, and social support,
societies can work towards a safer and more peaceful environment for all. Conclusion