{"id":351825,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-violence\/types-of-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2026-07-13T09:24:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T14:24:00","slug":"types-of-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/types-of-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Types of Domestic Violence and Legal Definitions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Types of Domestic Violence and Legal Definitions<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, psychological, and technology\u2011based abuse. Each has its own legal definition depending on your state. Some types of abuse, like physical or sexual violence, may qualify for criminal charges or protection orders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When most people think of\u00a0domestic violence, they imagine a situation where the abusive partner causes physical injury to an intimate partner. However, physical harm is only one form of domestic violence. Domestic abusers may use various types of abuse to exert control over their victims.\u00a0Domestic violence<\/a>\u00a0can be:<\/p>\n