{"id":373355,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:33","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2025-12-12T11:48:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T16:48:52","slug":"iowa-family-law-on-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Family Law on Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iowa Family Law on Domestic Violence<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, 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

Domestic abuse laws in Iowa cover assault, including threats, unwanted physical contact, aiming a firearm or laser, or causing fear or injury between family members or people who are or were in an intimate relationship.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Abuse can happen anywhere, even at home. Domestic violence<\/span> crimes<\/a>, also known as domestic abuse<\/span>, involve people sharing close personal relationships. These offenses can destroy marriages and tear families apart. Iowa<\/span> has laws in place to protect victims and keep their abusers away from them.<\/p>\n

There’s a lot to know about domestic abuse<\/span> under Iowa<\/span> family law<\/span>. This article supplies answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about domestic violence<\/span>. Read on for a deeper understanding of how domestic abuse<\/span> is handled by family law<\/span> in the state of Iowa<\/span>.<\/p>\n

What Is Domestic Abuse<\/span>? Is It the Same as Domestic Violence<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

While the terms are often used as both sides of the same coin, Iowa<\/span> goes with domestic abuse<\/span><\/a> for legal and government matters. Advocacy groups tend towards the term domestic violence<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Under Iowa<\/span> family law<\/span>, domestic abuse<\/span> is when assault is committed<\/a> between family members<\/span>, household members<\/span>, or people in or who were in an intimate relationship<\/span>. Assault is any of the following:<\/p>\n