{"id":372274,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-domestic-violence-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-22T10:57:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T15:57:39","slug":"district-of-columbia-domestic-violence-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-domestic-violence-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Domestic Violence Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Domestic Violence Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, 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

Domestic violence crimes<\/a> leave a path of destruction whenever they appear. Called "intrafamily offenses" under the District of Columbia code, the involvement of close personal relationships can make a bad situation worse.<\/p>\r\n

Victims of domestic violence looking to escape their abusers can find an array of helpful resources<\/a> in D.C. and beyond.<\/p>\r\n

This article will explain what the district considers domestic violence<\/a>, the protections and penalties for intrafamily offenses that are available, and how to navigate the court system.<\/p>\r\n

What Are Intrafamily Offenses?<\/h2>\r\n

Domestic abuse laws are often written with a narrow range of eligible crimes. The image of a battered spouse<\/a> is a common perception of domestic violence, but that’s only part of it.<\/p>\r\n

Domestic violence is about power and control<\/a>. Offenses often include sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and more<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In Washinton, D.C., intrafamily offenses<\/a> include any criminal act between people in qualifying relationships. It also includes animal cruelty<\/a>. Any abuse inflicted on an animal owned or possessed by a victim is also an interfamily offense.<\/p>\r\n

The District of Columbia considers family members, household members, and intimate partners as eligible for interfamily offenses. These include the following:<\/p>\r\n