What is Violence?

The last class was sort of confusing for me, because it actually is very difficult for me to come to a definition of "violence." Something that is so serious also seems very subjective. Is it defined by the person committing the violence, or the person who is on the receiving end? If our conceptions of the world change across culture, how can we create ultimate definitions of violence? When an act of violence is committed it seems so clear. But when it comes down to creating an all-encompassing definition, it is not so easy. I hope through the course of this class I will better learn to identify what is violence and to distinguish different forms of violence.