What is considered domestic violence?

Domestic violence charges can significantly impact those accused of it. Because domestic violence can impact everyone touched by it, it is important for those accused of domestic violence to know about the legal resources available to help them through domestic violence charges.

What is considered domestic violence?

Domestic abuse involves several types of abuse including:

• Physical violence such as hurting someone or trying to hurt someone intentionally or recklessly;
• Sexual assault;
• Making someone reasonably afraid that they are someone else are about to be seriously hurt including threats to harm someone;
• Emotional abuse;
• Psychological abuse;
• Financial abuse; and
• Harassing, stalking or threatening behavior or disturbing someone’s peace or destroying someone’s personal property.

Domestic abuse occurs in situations when the individuals involved have been or are in an intimate relationship. Intimate relationships include married spouses or domestic partners; individuals who are dating or used to date; individuals who live together or have lived together; or individuals who have a child together. It can also occur in situations when the individuals involved are closely related by blood or marriage.

Physical abuse the constitutes domestic abuse includes hitting but it not limited to it. It can also include kicking, shoving, pushing, pulling hair, throwing things, scaring someone, following someone or preventing them from freely coming and going. It can also include physical abuse of family pets. It can be verbal, emotional and psychological.

Dealing with domestic violence charges

There are many types of domestic violence and its impact on families can be extensive. That also includes those who are accused of it who may be prohibited from going to their family home, seeing family members and may face other potential consequences and penalties. Legal resources, including criminal defense options, are available to anyone involved in a family violence situation and those impacted should be aware of that.