Recognizing The Impact of Non-Physical Violence in our Daily Lives

Against a backdrop of ongoing reports of terrorism, violence, physical brutality and sexual assault, Dr. Bob Klein and Vic Schermer ask us to consider the overlooked acts of non-physical violence voiced or displayed in families, schools, the workplace, and relationships. Drawing upon their professional work with individuals and groups and their extensive writing on violence, they discuss the causes and impact of insults, stereotyping, bullying, microaggression and institutional violence that marginalizes and stereotypes others and sanctions covert and overt violence. Crucial to their message is an interesting and important discussion of strategies to recognize and prevent these subtle but violent assaults to a person's sense of self. Most of us have been guilty of non-physical violence, victims of non-physical violence or bystanders of it. The cost to ourselves and others is too great. We can make a difference.