What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is an act whether physical, verbal or emotional by a member of a family or household member against another member of the family or household that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or that is a threat reasonably placing the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, but does not include defensive measures to protect oneself.

Family can include husbands, wives, their children, uncles, cousins, or grandparents as well as former spouses and parents of the same child whether they are legally married.

Household is defined as anyone living in your home presently or anyone who has lived in the past whether they are of blood relation.

Battering is a pattern of coercive behavior which utilizes power and control tactics to force an individual to take actions they normally wouldn't.