Lateral violence

Lateral violence is displaced violence directed against one's peers rather than adversaries. This construct is one way of explaining minority-on-minority violence in developed nations. It is a cycle of abuse and its roots lie in factors such as: colonisation, oppression, intergenerational trauma and the ongoing experiences of racism and discrimination.[1] Those experiencing and those committing lateral violence more likely to be involved in crime in the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. In Australia and Canada, lateral violence is widely seen as an intergenerational learned pattern and major social problem in indigenous communities.[2] In Australia surveys have reported that up to 95% of Aboriginal youth had witnessed lateral violence in the home, and that 95% of the bullying experienced by Aboriginals was perpetrated by other Aboriginals.[3]

Lateral Violence occurs within marginalized groups where members strike out at each other as a result of being oppressed. The oppressed become the oppressors of themselves and each other. Common behaviours that prevent positive change from occurring include gossiping, bullying, finger-pointing, backstabbing and shunning.

— Kweykway Consulting[4]

Near-synonyms include horizontal violence, intra-racial conflict, and internalized colonialism

An example of inter-generational trauma would be the Corey and Cody Manyshots case involving two Aboriginal youth kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teen.[5] The father of the teens was involved in animal cruelty cases involving a Bichon Frise and elastic bands. Furthermore, the father threatened to attack reporters at his sons' trials.[5] Corey Manyshots was on bail for defacing the Dashmesh Cultural Centre, a Sikh temple in Calgary.[6] This interpretation through an intergenerational trauma perspective would understand that both Corey and Cody Manyshots were the subject of collective trauma from the colonial injustices passed down from generation to generation and have less of a responsibility for criminal acts and reprehensible behaviours.[7] This interpretation is considered flawed by some and perpetuates violence among Aboriginals.[8][9][10] The Government of Canada commissioned a study in 2008 by the Minister of Health, it reported that although there were root causes such as the residential school system and loss of culture in Aboriginals which could lead to increases in propensities towards domestic abuse and violence, the aggravation factor in an overwhelming number of the cases involved drugs or alcohol.[11]

Outside the racial context, the term is also used in explanation of workplace bullying, though in that case the circumstances are much different. Some consider this an inappropriate definition.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Lateral violence entry on the CRRF Glossary of Terms". Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
  2. 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2012-12-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ↑ Spirits, Jens Korff, Creative (13 August 2020). "Bullying & lateral violence". Creative Spirits.
  4. ↑ "Lateral Violence in First Nations Communities – Kwey Kway Consulting". www.kweykway.ca.
  5. 1 2 "Calgary police charge brothers in Taradale sex attack on teen". Calgary Sun.
  6. ↑ "Calgary brothers accused in teen's sexual assault still need lawyers". Calgary Sun.
  7. ↑ Bombay, Matheson, Anisman. Intergenerational Trauma: Convergence of Multiple Processes among First Nations peoples in Canada. Journal de la santé autochtone, novembre 2009, p. 1.
  8. ↑ "A tragedy that doesn't cry for an inquiry". Toronto Sun.
  9. ↑ Turpel-Lafond, Mary Ellen (21 August 2014). "Enough is enough: Time to address epidemic of violence against native women" – via The Globe and Mail.
  10. ↑ Jack, Joan (13 December 2014). "Excuse me, there's a moose in the room". Winnipeg Free Press.
  11. ↑ "Aboriginal women and family violence" (PDF). www.onwa.ca.

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