Definition of violence 1a: the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy b: an instance of violent treatment or procedure 2: injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or profanation : OUTRAGE 3a: intense, turbulent, or furious and often destructive action or force the violence of the storm b: vehement feeling or expression : FERVOR also : an instance of such action or feeling c: a clashing or jarring quality : DISCORDANCE 4: undue alteration (as of wording or sense in editing a text)

1a is the definition of violence.

The other definitions are metaphors.

> The issue is making someone suffer more than is necessary or making them suffer for the wrong reasons

Agreed. I just think that most people would call causing suffering more than is necessary and for the wrong reasons "violent".

If not "violent", what would you call a shame based intervention that causes unnecessary suffering or is done for the wrong reasons?

Just call it evil and wrong.

(It is in almost all ethical and moral systems.)

You can also call it immoral and a few other adjectives.

And for added irony, it should also be shameful.