Violence desensitization, Violence normalization, Harm normalization, Abuse acceptance conditioning, Abuse desensitization
Abuse normalization occurs when repeated exposure to TFGBV content and behaviors gradually shifts perception of what constitutes acceptable treatment. The 2022 NCMEC transparency report notes that re-circulation of CSAM "normalizes child sexual abuse among offenders," demonstrating how exposure to harmful content creates acceptance of increasingly severe behaviors (OJJDP, 2022). This impact is particularly insidious because it operates at both individual and community levels, creating environments where escalation becomes more likely. The process often begins with "minor" harassment that becomes accepted, paving the way for more severe forms of violence.
In online environments, algorithmic amplification can accelerate the normalization process.