Violence
Les organismes ESPACE privilégient l’analyse féministe de la violence. Avant d’être un problème individuel, la violence faite aux enfants est donc vue comme un problème social qui doit être considéré, entre autres, sous l’angle des rapports hiérarchiques qui s’établissent souvent entre les hommes et les femmes, entre les adultes et les enfants. La violence est définie comme un exercice abusif de pouvoir par une personne en situation de force pour contrôler par différents moyens une autre personne, et ce, dans le but de répondre à ses propres besoins et désirs, sans égard à l’autre. Le pouvoir n’est pas mauvais en soi, c’est l’abus qu’on en fait qui est problématique.
Violence is defined as an abusive exercise of power by a person in a situation of force to control by different means another person, and, in a goal to answer to their own needs and desires, without regards to the other person. Power is not a bad thing per say, it is what we do it that can become problematic.
Violence against children is the expression of an abuse of power from an adult towards a child or even from a child towards a more vulnerable one. That is why we question the power inequalities between people, particularly between adults and children, and that our approach takes aim in reinforcing children, adults and their living environments.
Our adult status naturally gives us power. This power is also and foremost a responsibility towards children in order to support and guide them, instill them values, give them affection, etc. Therefore this power is not wrong per say, it all depends on what we do with it. The important thing is to use it correctly, always keeping in mind the interest of the child. It becomes a problem when we use it to do things that do not help the well-being of the child and that brings them down instead of reinforcing their self-esteem.