Targeted Violence
There are many different forms of violence that can happen within communities, some of which are more visible than others. Street-level violence, such as robberies and shootings, are often more visible forms of violence because they occur in outdoor spaces and they elicit more media attention. Other less-visible types of violence, however, are just as important for us to be aware of and address. These include domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, elderly abuse, sexual victimization, animal abuse, and suicide.
Targeted violence is another type of violence that occurs within communities. There is not a single definition of targeted violence. For this training, targeted violence is considered a planned event in which the perpetrator(s) specifies the intended victim or victims based on actual or perceived identity traits or group affiliation.
The victim(s) can be:
- a group or class of people such as a racial, religious, or ethnic community;
- a particular person or persons; and/or
- a specific location, such as a workplace, hospital, or school.
Various types of weapons can be used, including guns, cars, firearms, bombs, and knives. Individuals who plan or engage in targeted violence do so to:
- intimidate, coerce, or otherwise influence a broader population beyond the immediate victims or locations targeted or
- gain publicity for their grievances.
In some cases, targeted violence is driven by extremist ideology, and other times it is not. Targeted violence that is the byproduct of extremist ideology is also known as violent extremism.
For the purposes of this training, incidents that involve interpersonal violence, street gang-related violence, or violence perpetrated by organized crime or similar organizations will not be specifically addressed unless they involve acts in which the perpetrator(s) specifies the intended victim or victims based on actual or perceived identity traits or group affiliation or, in the case of interpersonal violence, the violence moves to public places or targets people beyond the immediate incident of the violence.
Although this training focuses on the aforementioned definition of targeted violence, you may find that some of the concepts, techniques, and skills you will learn through this training are helpful in dealing with many different types of violence in your community.
Extremism Key Terms
Since targeted violence prevention includes dealing with extremism, it is also important that mental health specialists be acquainted with the following key terms.
Extremism
Extremism refers to holding extreme political, social, or religious beliefs different from conventional norms. Holding extreme beliefs is a legally protected right in the United States.
Radicalization
Radicalization is the process of a person moving from their ideas or beliefs to actions driven by extreme beliefs that may include violence. During radicalization, a person’s thoughts and behavior typically changes and becomes much different from his/her previous behavior and general community norms. Radicalization may result in the person believing that acts of violence are legitimate, acceptable, or necessary to further their extreme beliefs.
Violent Extremism
Violent Extremism is the actual use of violence to achieve a political, social, or religious objective related to an extreme belief. There are many forms of extreme beliefs, and any extreme belief can lead to violent extremism. Acts of violent extremism threaten lives, public safety, and fundamental values of free and democratic societies.
Violent Extremists
Violent Extremists are defined as those who advocate, encourage, condone, justify, or support the commission of a violent act to achieve terroristic goals.
Terrorism
Terrorism is one form of targeted violence and is defined as ideologically motivated violence to further political, social, or religious goals.
Terrorists
Terrorists are those individuals who commit or provide support for the commission of terrorism.
As mental health specialists, you should have knowledge of the types of persons, groups, and motivations behind acts of targeted violence. Next we will look at some research and databases that have gathered information on different types of targeted violence.