Though interpersonal violence is widely studied, much less has been done to understand structural violence, the often-invisible patterns of inequality that reproduce social relations of exclusion and marginalization through ideologies, policies, stigmas, and discourses attendant to gender, race, class, and other markers of social identity. Structural violence normalizes experiences like poverty, ableism, sexual harassment, racism, and colonialism, and erases their social and political origins. The legal structures that provide impunity for those who exploit youth are also part of structural violence’s machinery.

Working with Indigenous, queer, immigrant and homeless youth across Canada, this five-year Youth-based Participatory Action Research project used art to explore the many ways that structural violence harms youth, destroying hope, optimism, a sense of belonging and a connection to civil society. However, recognizing that youth are not merely victims, Everyday Violence in the Lives of Youth also examines the various ways youth respond to and resist this violence to preserve their dignity, well-being and inclusion in society.

Helene Anne Berman is a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Western Ontario.

Helene Berman's profile page

Catherine Richardson/Kinewesquao is a Metis counsellor and associate professor of social work at the University of Montreal.

Catherine Richardson/Kinewesquao's profile page

Kate Elliott is a member of the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria and is currently completing her residency in Indigenous Family Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

Kate Elliott's profile page

Eugenia Canas, PhD, coordinates the Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI), and is Research Director at MINDS of London-Middlesex.

Eugenia Canas' profile page

Everyday Violence in the Lives of Youth builds the case for placing an intensely focused lens on the structural and systemic drivers of violence in the lives of youth. The writers critically analyze and validate the efficacy of a youth-centred participatory action research approach to addressing structural violence affecting youth in an engaging and convincing manner. Highlighting the efficacy of art as a tool for identifying social pathogens, enabling resistance and building resilience, and healing existing trauma adds significant value to this interesting and timely text.

This book would make an excellent addition to the library of any social worker directly engaging and providing interventions with clients in the youth population group. The book could also provide a primer for social workers serving younger populations by providing insights on assisting clients to build pre-emptive skills and resilience.

Andrew Brown, BC Association of Social Workers