The notion of integrity (physical, psychological, moral…) helps define the different forms of violence:
The terms moral violence and psychological violence are considered synonymous in the literature, but not always. Sometimes, the notion of moral violence is used to express mainly moral harassment, whereas, if we think in terms of integrity, moral harassment is much more psychological violence, since its aim is to negatively affect the psychological integrity (mental state)* of the person.
Moral violence is an attack on a person’s moral integrity, i.e. on the honor, reputation or consideration of a person or group. It therefore includes gestures, words, writings, drawings, etc. that express contempt, slander, defamation or discrimination (**) relating to particular characteristics such as race, color, ethnicity, religion, origin, condition of the person (elderly or disabled), birth, sex, education, place of residence, wealth/poverty, etc….
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* Psychological violence is often translated into English as mental violence
(synonymous terms).
** Definitions of these terms :
(1) Outrage: A serious, offensive insult addressed to a person with the intention of deliberately injuring that person’s honor and dignity.
(2) Slander: A false accusation that injures reputation or honor.
(3) Defamation: Communication that damages reputation or honor.
(4) Discrimination: Unequal, unfavorable and discrediting treatment of an individual or social groups based on a particular characteristic (race, color, ethnicity, religion, origin, age, sex, etc….).
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Example of how physical violence is perceived :
Two youngsters play together. The game is quite physical. The violence against the other only really starts when one of them says stop, and the other continues and overrides the first’s respect for his body and requests.
See, for example, Jean-Marie Petitclerc’s quote.