Tracing back to Latin as violentia, related to the adjective violentus, distinguishing the violent behavior of an individual, from vis, force or vigor, with roots in the Indo-European *weie-, in allusion to wanting to take something with tenacity. It is the forced imposition of one person upon another, regardless of the form, context, or relationship; the entities of the state and the justice system have an obligation to protect us from.

It can arise in the intimacy of the family circle, as well as in the work environment. Legal terms such as institutional violence or gender violence stand out, as well as the distinction of people who behave violently, being aware of their acts despite not being able to control their impulses.