What is considered domestic violence?

Domestic violence situations are serious for all parties involved. As a result, anyone impacted by family violence, including facing domestic violence charges, should be familiar with the legal resources available to anyone impacted by domestic violence. Domestic violence charges can also resort in protective orders and may limit the ability of the subject of the order to return to a family home, for instance.

Because of the serious nature of domestic violence charges, it is important to be familiar with what is considered domestic abuse. Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence which is what is commonly thought of when any reference to domestic violence is made. Physical violence can include hitting, punching, pinching, biting, slapping, shoving or any other form of physical violence. Domestic violence includes physical violence but it also includes other forms of violence, intimidation and threats.

In addition to physical violence, domestic violence also includes sexual violence. Sexual violence refers to coerced sexual contact and sexual contact without consent. It can also include marital rape. Emotional abuse is another form of domestic abuse and can include attacks on self-esteem and self-worth. Psychological abuse is another form of domestic violence that can include threats and intimidation. In general, threats, stalking and cyberstalking can all be considered domestic violence.

Legal resources are available to families experiencing domestic violence and to those facing domestic violence charges. Because of the substantial impacts of domestic violence, anyone impacted by it should know where to turn to get the help they need and the legal resources available to them.