{"id":373225,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-domestic-violence-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-11-03T08:50:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T13:50:58","slug":"indiana-domestic-violence-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-domestic-violence-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Domestic Violence Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indiana Domestic Violence Laws<\/h1>\n\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\n\n

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Under Indiana<\/span> law, a crime of <\/span>domestic violence<\/span> is an abusive act, such as causing physical harm<\/span>, that occurs between family or household members<\/span>. For a criminal charge<\/span> like domestic battery<\/span>, the act must be committed by someone in a qualifying relationship, such as a spouse, relative, or person who shares a child in common. Victims of family violence<\/span>, stalking, or sexual offenses may be able to seek a civil protective order<\/span> from the court.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Also referred to as family violence<\/span>, acts of domestic violence<\/span><\/a> occur between family and household members<\/span>. Indiana<\/span> has laws and protections in place to help victims of <\/span>domestic violence<\/span> find safety.<\/p>\n

Indiana<\/span>‘s definition of domestic violence<\/span> is a bit different than that of most other states, so it’s important to know what it covers. In this article, we’ll explain the exact definition of domestic violence<\/span> in Indiana<\/span>, examine available protections and programs<\/a>, and outline the process of getting a protective order<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Defining Domestic Violence<\/span><\/h2>\n

For the most part, domestic violence<\/span> occurs when people sharing certain personal relationships have a specified abusive act happen between them. Both elements are required for domestic violence<\/span> classification.<\/p>\n

For example, a husband causing a physical injury to his wife<\/a> is domestic violence<\/span>. A person punching someone they don’t know in the face is a crime, but not domestic violence<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The best way to understand domestic violence<\/span> offenses is to take a closer look at each aspect. Let’s dive in.<\/p>\n

Criminal Acts<\/h3>\n

Domestic violence<\/span> is about control and power<\/a>. Abusers use different types of domestic abuse<\/span><\/a> to keep victims living in fear and feeling helpless. The vicious cycle of threats, coercion, abuse, and violence can ruin lives and tear families apart.<\/p>\n

Not every abusive crime is eligible to be domestic violence<\/span>. Under the Indiana<\/span> Code<\/span>, offenses under certain categories<\/a> can qualify as domestic violence<\/span> if committed between people in certain relationships. These categories are:<\/p>\n