Concept in Definition ABC

Through words or actions we can mistreat others. The idea of ​​abuse presents abundant synonyms in our language: insult, injury, contempt, offense, aggression, humiliation, injury or outrage. The latter constitutes a form of serious offense that threatens the dignity of someone or something.

If we look at its etymology, it comes from the French outrage and this from the Latin ultraticum and its adaptation to Spanish comes from the Catalan word ultratge. In any case, the prefix ultra indicates that the offending word or action is beyond reason.

In the legal sphere

In the legislation criminal, there is the classification of crimes that seriously violate the dignity of persons or institutions. Thus, in most countries, offenses or insults against the homeland and its symbols can constitute a crime of outrage. Some examples could be the following: burning a flag of the nation, carry out actions of contempt towards the symbols of the homeland or utter serious insults directed at the highest authorities of the state.

This type of crime is usually accompanied by a certain controversy, since the person who offends can claim in his defense that the freedom of expression it's a right which must prevail in all circumstances.

In this sense, there are two circumstances faced from a legal perspective: the free expression of ideas within the framework of a democracy go into conflict with the need to protect the symbols that represent an entire community.

Certain macho behaviors turn into serious offenses

With some frequency they appear in the media communication news related to verbal or physical assaults of a sexual nature against women. When this happens it is said that the woman has been outraged. In this context, the woman feels attacked because certain limits have been exceeded (for example, when situations of harassment, acts of humiliation or some kind of threat verbal or physical). Obviously, the act of rape constitutes the greatest assault on the dignity of women.

In the religious context

Religious dogmas, traditions, and symbols have deep spiritual value for believers. In this sense, when acts of desecration of burials occur, a doctrinal principle is insulted or actions are taken against religious beliefs, a conduct especially offensive and as such constitutes an outrage.

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