In general, a violent crime occurs when a perpetrator uses or threatens to use harmful force upon a victim. This includes offenses where the act is the main objective of the crime, such as homicide, assault, or rape, as well as crimes like robbery, extortion, and terrorism, in which violence is used as a form of coercion or display of force. Violent crimes often involve weapons, but the use of weapons is not a necessary element to be considered a violent offense.