What is considered violence?

Violence is considered physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse.

Physical abuse

1. Includes conduct or behavior that—
   1. Causes, or threatens to cause, personal injury or physical pain to a person; or
   2. Threatens a person with death or injury.
2. Also includes wrongfully confining or restraining a person against their will.
3. Does not include any force lawfully used—
   1. In self-defense; or
   2. By way of correction towards a child below 18 years of age.

Sexual abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse means conduct or behavior that—

1. Torments, intimidates, harasses, or distresses a person; or
2. Causes or may reasonably be expected to cause mental harm to a person, including thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Abuse may take the form of—

1. A single instance of conduct or behavior; or
2. A course of conduct or behavior.

The conduct or behavior that constitutes abuse need not be directed at the family member in question, but must be capable of being seen, heard, or otherwise perceived (directly or indirectly) by the family member.