{"id":373733,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/maine-law\/maine-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2026-02-09T09:52:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T14:52:42","slug":"maine-family-law-on-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Maine Family Law on Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maine 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 violence<\/span> in Maine<\/span> is abusive behavior committed between family or household members<\/span>, though certain sexual crimes qualify regardless of the relationship. This legal classification includes physical assault, stalking, kidnapping, and threats intended to control a victim through fear. Maine<\/span> law<\/span> provides unique protections such as protection from abuse<\/span> orders<\/span>, lease termination rights, and address confidentiality for survivors.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Domestic violence<\/span> can take many forms. All are unwelcome. Most domestic violence<\/span><\/a> crimes involve people in qualifying close personal relationships having specific abusive acts occurring between them. Maine<\/span> expands the definition to protect more victims.<\/p>\n

Recognizing domestic abuse<\/span> and knowing what to do when it appears can make a huge difference. This article offers answers to an array of questions about domestic violence<\/span>. If this format doesn’t appeal to you, we have a more traditional approach available at FindLaw’s Maine<\/span> Domestic Violence<\/span> Laws<\/span><\/a> article. Either way, you’ll come away with a better understanding of domestic violence<\/span> in Maine<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Is it called domestic violence<\/span> or domestic abuse<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

It’s two sides of the same coin. Maine<\/span> statutes use domestic abuse<\/span><\/a> in most instances, but there are more than a few instances of domestic violence<\/span> usage<\/a> as well. Advocates lean toward domestic violence<\/span>, and the state’s intervention program<\/span> does as well. Unless you’re drafting a legal document, either form will convey the meaning.<\/p>\n

Okay, so what is domestic violence<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

In most states, domestic violence<\/span> follows a somewhat strict definition<\/a>. It occurs when one or more of a specific subset of abusive acts are committed between people in qualifying close personal relationships. Offenses that don’t fit the classification aren’t considered domestic violence<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Maine<\/span> law<\/span> uses a broader interpretation of domestic violence<\/span>. It gives victims of certain abusive crimes access to domestic abuse<\/span> protections without the relationship requirement. The exceptions are noted in the following list, which shows abusive acts and categories of crime considered eligible for domestic violence<\/span> classification<\/a>:<\/p>\n