Violence and Crime

The following may serve as an example to further explain this distinction.

Smacking a woman or child is a violent act.  However, whether acts of corporal punishment are seen as a criminal offence varies according to a country’s law and social attitudes towards women and children.

In some countries, laws classify corporal punishment as a criminal act.  While in many other countries, it is not a crime and justified as a necessary disciplinary measure.

Whether an act is classified as a crime or not depends on the laws of a country.  Crime can therefore be defined as a violation of the law and an act of deviance from established rules, or a non-commission of an action that is required by law.

Violence, on the other hand, is an act of physical aggression that in most cases results in harm.  Whether a violent act is considered a crime changes from country to country, and it might change over time, as countries adapt their laws due to changing political systems and social values.  Understanding the difference between these two concepts is important in responding appropriately and adopting effective prevention strategies.

In our next blog we will not only be looking at some intervention- and prevention strategies we will also discuss the very important concept of “Non-violence.