A violence offence involves the exercise of violence, or the threat of violence, against another person. The exercise of violence against things is not considered here. This subject is covered in «Damage to property» under the headings «Offences» or «Property».
Offences can be divided into different categories according to the nature and seriousness of the crime. A rough distinction is made between serious violence and minor violence offences.
Offences are considered to be:
Serious violence (perpetrated): Intentional homicide, murder, manslaughter, infanticide, serious assault, female genital mutilation, robbery with serious harm to the victim (art. 140 para. 4), hostage taking, rape.
Minor violence (perpetrated, in some cases threatened violence): Common assault, acts of aggression, participation brawl, participation attack, robbery (art. 140 para. 1-3), predatory extortion (art. 156 para. 3), coercion, forced marriage, false imprisonment and abduction, false imprisonment and abduction: aggravating circumstances, indecent assault, violence and threats against public authorities and public officials.
Minor violence (threatened): Threatening behaviour, extortion (art. 156 para. 1, 2, 4).
