To violate something is to break a rule, law, agreement, or someone’s rights or personal space.
From Latin “violāre,” meaning “to treat with violence, dishonor, or injure,” from “violentus,” meaning “violent.” The idea has always involved harmful or disrespectful breaking of limits.
“Violate” isn’t just about laws; you can violate trust, privacy, or boundaries too. The word carries a built-in sense of harm, which is why it sounds much stronger than just “break a rule.”
"Violate" is widely used in legal and ethical contexts, but in practice it is often associated with violations of women's bodily autonomy and rights, including sexual violence and reproductive control. Historically, passive constructions have obscured perpetrators, focusing on victims instead.
Use clear, active constructions that name perpetrators (e.g., "X violated Y's rights") rather than vague passives like "Y was violated" that erase agency. Be precise about the type of violation and avoid euphemisms that downplay harm, especially in gendered violence contexts.
["breach","infringe","break (a rule)","abuse (when appropriate)"]
Survivors, many of them women, along with feminist legal scholars, have pushed for language that accurately names violations and centers consent and autonomy.
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