The offender is the person or group who acted in an aggressive or violent manner against another person or group, causing physical, financial and /or emotional damage.
Anyone who supports or encourages others to be aggressive or violent towards someone, even if not directly involved in the aggression, is also an offender. Example: someone who spreads rumors or encourages a classmate to provoke a fight with another classmate. |
Violence can be committed in different contexts and relationships:
- at home, in family relationships. Read more on domestic violence - what is it?
- in dating relationships. Read more on dating violence – what is it?
- at school, with peers. Read more on bullying – what is it?
- on a sexual level. Read more on sexual violence - what is it?
- through the internet, in online relationships. Read more on online abuse – what is it?
- on the street. Read more on street violence – what is it?
Violence can be committed by one offender against a victim or group of victims.
It can also be committed by a group of offenders acting together against a victim or group of victims.
An example of this is gangs or groups of violent youths (read more on Gangs and group violence).
What are the reasons for being aggressive or abusive against someone? |
These are some possible explanations (many others can be given):
• they have learnt that violence is a way, despite being a wrong one, to solve problems and conflicts with friends, classmates and boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.;
• they have difficulty dealing with negative emotions (such as rage and frustration);
• they want to feel better, bigger or tougher than others;
• they want to have more power than others.