Lateral violence occurs when a group of individuals are mistreated and are unable to have influence, or feel powerless, to deal with those perpetrating the abuse. As a result, they begin to mistreat others in their own group. Lateral violence occurs in many organizations, professions and groups, but has become epidemic within First Nations communities. Although it is unpleasant and distressing when one person treats another in an abusive, disrespectful, hurtful and/or critical manner, it can be catastrophically damaging to the health of these communities when this behaviour becomes widespread.
Our limbic (emotional) brains are designed to ensure that we survive and so, when we are threatened, it produces fight or flight responses. These responses pull blood away from some of our vital organs and send it to our eyes, ears and other parts of our body that help us to deal with the danger. As well, our immune system (that protects us from disease) is shut down and our brains produce a flood of chemicals that make us alert and able to respond quickly and powerfully. When the threat disappears or is dealt with, our system settles back down to its normal state. It becomes a problem when we are in fight or flight too often and/or for a long time. It is like running your car on race car fuel………too much, too often will burn out the engine.
When a person is stressed and is in fight or flight, they can learn to calm themselves and they can also be calmed by family, friends and others who are not in fight or flight. When whole families, or even whole communities, are in fight or flight, there is a danger that we won’t be able to calm ourselves, those around us aren’t healthy enough to help us and we are continuing to be pushed into fight or flight by the lateral violence around us. Our relationships suffer, we become anxious and depressed, we may isolate ourselves and we get sick more often.
But there can be another, more serious , result. Families, communities and even countries are like the human body, and all the different people, organizations and services are like the organs and systems of the body. When these entire social groups are consumed by lateral violence, they become sick. People hurt and abuse one another, substance abuse increases, suicide becomes an increasing risk and fear and anger become the dominant emotions. Sadly, it is the children who will suffer the most. The human brain is like an absorbent, flexible sponge and is, especially during the first 26 years of life, forming critical attitudes, values, emotional responses, attachments and social behaviours. Any damage, such as occurs with this toxicity in the community, is extremely hard to repair and leads to unhappiness and difficulties with school, friendships and even physical health. Without intensive help, these problems persist into adulthood and the cycle of lateral violence and abuse continues into the next generation.
We have a responsibility to take control of our community’s wellness, and this starts by taking control of our own behaviour. It is a choice to engage in lateral violence, to abuse substances and to be negative and destructive. Until each person takes a stand against this destructive force, it will persist and our communities, and most particularly our children will become sicker and sicker.
- Refuse to participate in gossip
- Do not allow others to engage in put downs and criticism
- Don’t keep secrets
- Stop complaining about what’s wrong……do something to make it better
- Refuse to associate with, or be a part of, groups that engage in destructive behaviour
- Take responsibility……..the only behaviour you have control of is your own
- Treat everyone with respect……it’s contagious