WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

brutalisation
    n 1: the condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner
         [syn: brutalization, brutalisation]
    2: the activity of treating someone savagely or viciously [syn:
       brutalization, brutalisation]
    3: an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human
       qualities [syn: brutalization, brutalisation,
       animalization, animalisation]