The World Health Organization defines violence as follows:
“The deliberate use or threat of deliberate use of physical force or power against oneself, another person or a group or community that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, trauma, death, moral harm, maldevelopment or deprivation. The definition includes interpersonal violence, suicidal behavior and armed conflict. It also covers a whole range of acts that go beyond physical violence, including threats and intimidation. In addition to death and trauma, it encompasses the multiplicity of often less obvious consequences of violent behavior, such as psychological damage and problems of emotional deprivation and development that compromise individual, family and community well-being.”
World Report on Violence and Health, Summary, p.13.