There is something I have noticed, which I would like to try and gently bring to your attention. I am not trying to cause alarm, rather I am attempting to get people to think, observe and decide for yourselves, if you have experience of this phenomenon too.

I would also like to state that these are mostly opinions and that whilst academic research can be used to validate some of the views expressed, I consider these to be opinions, more than anything.

These thoughts are still being processed, formed and fully explored. It is also because I am using the word violence, and that is why I believe extra caution, and sensitivity should be exercised when considering this matter.

So here goes…

I believe that many of our systems and services are exercising what I have come to consider as a form of casual violence. It is a form of injustice and cruelty caused by people working in and for unjust and unfair systems, services and processes. I have seen this first hand when engaged in processes to try and protect myself personally as a woman and mother and when trying to protect our environment, as a campaigner and activist academic.

Let’s first look at how violence is defined.

Violence is defined as acts or actions that are intended or likely to hurt people or cause harm.

It seems that many of our systems and services, particularly governmental processes and legal proceedings have normalised and become desensitised to the suffering of many people stuck in or working within this system. Rob Nixon wrote about this phenomenon in his work “Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor.”

As someone who has been a part of legal proceedings relating to personal matters and been involved in environmental campaigns trying to protect our natural world from extractivism and mass pollution, I have noticed a lack of empathy and care towards those who are most at risk of harm. For many people who work within these systems, it is just another day at work and those being subjected to this casual violence are shown little to no respect or concern for the suffering they face.

For many exposed to this casual violence when they express emotion, passion or fear during these processes, they are often discounted and discredited and in some more extreme instances incarcerated or physically attacked. Those perpetuating harm defend their actions with “I am just doing my job” and those experiencing the stressful and often traumatic consequences are deemed wrong/ ridiculous/ rude/ mean for protesting or expressing dissent and concern.

I have seen this time and time and time again and I see the nonchalance and dispassionate behaviour of those perpetrating casual or systemic violence being rewarded both financially and professionally. This form of casual violence is a threat to climate and ecological justice as it defends and supports the unjust and ecocidal system that is a danger to our collective health and future.

The system rewards those who defend and support the system and its ways. While those who challenge and demand better have causal violence perpetuated on them through bureaucratic and administrative processes that often drain them of their time, energy, dignity and resources.

Many of those who are perpetuating this form of systemic and institutional violence may not be consciously aware that they are causing harm. Some know and enjoy destroying people and their lives and families, but that is for another blog.

I am not writing this for you to believe every word. I am asking you to pay attention and think for yourself if casual violence is happening.

I believe it is mainly systemic. It is often subtle, and more worryingly, it is rewarded. But it comes at a cost and often the burn out rates, sickness rates of employees and lack of public trust and confidence in certain services, systems and institutions is a clear sign that casual violence is occurring.

Does casual violence exist? And if so how do you feel about it climate child?