What behaviors constitute domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a specific assault crime that occurs between relatives or people who have or have had a romantic relationship. But it encompasses many different types of behaviors.
Some people are unclear that domestic violence situations do not require actual physical violence. The Judicial Branch of California explains this type of violent crime covers a lot of legal ground.
Physical abuse
The best-known type of domestic violence is physical abuse. While this includes hitting, it does not have to be. It could also be pushing or pinching. The physical assault also can be harming pets or throwing things. Any type of physical hurt someone does to another person would be physical abuse and could be domestic violence, depending on the relationship of the individuals.
Other abuse
Dometic violence also includes other types of abuse. It may be sexual assault. It could be harassment or intimidation. Holding someone hostage or preventing them from living their life also falls under this crime. Verbal abuse, such as threats, is also under this umbrella, and so does financial abuse where someone tries to exert control over another person by controlling their finances.
Domestic violence is generally any action that will make someone afraid and unable to freely live their life. Keep in mind that what specifies this from other similar crimes is the people involved. There must be a familial relationship present.
Domestic violence is so much more than one person hitting another. Sometimes, the abuse is not clearly visible to outsiders, but that does not mean it is not illegal or a domestic violence crime.