Lateral violence facts for kids

Lateral violence is a term that describes when people who are part of a group that has been treated unfairly or oppressed start to direct their anger and frustration towards each other, instead of towards the people or systems causing the oppression. Think of it as people hurting their own teammates instead of the opposing team. This idea was first developed by scholars from Indigenous communities around the world. It helps explain why sometimes people within a minority group might act aggressively towards others in their own community.

This type of violence often comes from deep-rooted issues like colonisation (when one country takes control of another), oppression (being treated unfairly by a powerful group), and the lasting effects of past harms that pass down through generations. It can also be caused by ongoing experiences of racism and discrimination. In countries like Australia and Canada, lateral violence is seen as a learned behavior that can affect communities over many generations, causing significant social problems, especially within Indigenous communities. For example, surveys in Australia have shown that many Aboriginal youth have seen lateral violence at home, and that most bullying experienced by Aboriginal people comes from other Aboriginal people.

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

What is Lateral Violence?

Lateral violence is a way that people in a group that has been treated badly might hurt each other. Instead of directing their anger at the source of their problems, they turn it inward. This can happen in many ways, like:

• Gossiping: Spreading rumors or talking negatively about others.
• Bullying: Picking on or hurting someone repeatedly.
• Finger-pointing: Blaming others unfairly.
• Backstabbing: Betraying someone's trust.
• Shunning: Ignoring or excluding someone from the group.

These actions can make it hard for the community to work together and solve problems.

Why Does Lateral Violence Happen?

Lateral violence doesn't just appear out of nowhere. It often has deep roots in a community's history and experiences.

Historical Roots of Lateral Violence

• Colonisation: When powerful groups take over lands and cultures, it can cause huge damage to the people living there. This can lead to a loss of traditional ways of life, language, and self-worth.
• Oppression: Being treated unfairly or controlled by a dominant group can make people feel powerless and angry. When people can't direct their anger at the source of their oppression, they might turn it on those closest to them.
• Intergenerational Trauma: This means that the pain and difficulties from past events, like colonisation or residential schools, can affect people for many generations. Children and grandchildren might experience the effects of these past traumas, even if they didn't live through them directly. This can lead to learned behaviors that include lateral violence.

Modern Challenges

Even today, experiences of racism and discrimination can contribute to lateral violence. When people face unfair treatment, it can build up frustration and anger. Sometimes, this anger is then directed at others within their own community.

Lateral Violence in Canada

In Canada, lateral violence is a recognized issue, especially within Indigenous communities. A study in 2008, commissioned by the Canadian government, looked into the causes of this violence. It found that historical events, like the residential school system, played a big role. These schools took Indigenous children away from their families and cultures, causing immense harm. The loss of culture and family connections can lead to difficult situations within communities.

Other Types of Lateral Violence

While often discussed in the context of racial or Indigenous communities, the idea of lateral violence can also be seen in other places. For example, it's sometimes used to describe bullying in the workplace. In these cases, people might direct their frustrations at colleagues instead of at their bosses or the company's policies. However, the reasons and situations for workplace bullying are usually very different from the deep historical and social issues that cause lateral violence in oppressed communities.