The Normalization of Violence

The world is becoming a more dangerous place not because terrible events occur, but because these events are increasingly accepted as normal. A woman being threatened, stalked, or killed for wanting to leave a relationship is no longer considered “shocking” but merely “sad.” A child being harmed in the place where they should be safest is talked about for a few days, then forgotten. Cruelty toward animals elicits only brief public reaction, after which the issue disappears from public discourse.

The problem begins precisely here. Because the shorter and more superficial the response to an event, the greater the likelihood that it will recur. Every time we settle for merely feeling sorrow without taking action, we are paving the way for the continuation of that very system.

Violence rarely emerges suddenly. There are warning signs that are ignored beforehand—minor threats dismissed as exaggeration, behaviors left unchallenged, situations never addressed… All of these grow over time. Many issues that could have been prevented if detected early become irreversible due to indifference and silence.

Another truth is this: This is not merely an individual problem. It is a systemic problem. Whenever shortcomings exist across multiple domains—from education to law, from social awareness to everyday behavior—violence finds room to flourish. As long as people act on the principle “Let the snake that does not touch me live a thousand years,” the problem merely shifts location without ever disappearing.

It is not normal for women to have to protect themselves. It is not normal for children to grow up traumatized from an early age. It is not normal for animals to be left defenseless. But as these occurrences become frequent, they transform into “accepted” behaviors within society. This is the greatest danger.

Because becoming accustomed to something diminishes our response. As our response weakens, deterrence vanishes. When deterrence disappears, these events occur more freely. This is a cycle that continues unless broken.

The level of a society is not measured by how comfortably its strongest members live, but by how well its most vulnerable are protected. If the weak are not safeguarded in a society, there is serious decay. This condition affects not only individuals but the safety of everyone.

Change begins not with grand speeches but with clear actions: refusing to ignore an event, intervening when necessary, openly naming what is wrong… These may seem small, but their impact is profound. Because the more silence spreads, the larger the problem becomes.

The conclusion is clear: Becoming accustomed to violence is as dangerous as violence itself. If genuine change is desired, the first step must be breaking this habit. Because no society can remain healthy while tolerating a decay that has become normalized through collective indifference.