What do we mean by “State Violence”?

State violence refers to violence that is perpetrated by the government, its systems, or its employees or actors. State violence includes violence by government administrations, militaries, law enforcement, prisons, immigration policies, and economic systems. State violence includes state-sponsored forced labor, including in prisons, detention centres, and labor camps. When we discuss state violence, we are reminded that not all crimes are violent and not all violence is criminalised.

Resource: Violence and Crime

Recommended citation: “State Violence.” Movement Glossary. Collective Threads Initiative, 2026. https://www.collectivethreads.org (date accessed).