Exclusion and maldevelopment were at the origin of the north-south conflict.

It will draw on the definitions of violence in general and of different types of violence against children in particular, notably the definition presented in the WHO World Report on Violence and Health: “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation”.

The WHO report characterizes violence as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.” By focusing broadly on violence as it relates to the health of individuals, and including outcomes beyond those that result in physical injury or death, this definition reflects an appreciation of the full impact of violence on the right to health of individuals, families and communities.