The World Health Organization defines violence as (the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, against another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation)

The National Framework for the Family Protection against Violence defined violence as (any assault against others that causes or may cause physical injury or psychological harm or pain; it also includes threats of assault, pressure, or arbitrary deprivation of freedoms and rights) .

These two definitions cover the many manifestations of violent behavior and its consequences and go so far as to include threats and terror , which could fall under the umbrella of violence: physical violence, emotional violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, and economic and social violence.