{"id":374892,"date":"2016-04-11T01:23:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2025-05-16T15:24:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T20:24:56","slug":"new-hampshire-family-law-on-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"New Hampshire Family Law on Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Hampshire Family Law on Domestic Violence<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/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

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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

Family law in New Hampshire addresses many concerns associated with divorce, separation, and families in crisis. Perhaps none are as important and heartbreaking as those involving domestic violence<\/a>. This specific subset of abuse can tear families apart.<\/p>\r\n

The state of New Hampshire has safeguards in place to try to break the vicious cycle of abuse, intimidation, and violence common in households experiencing domestic violence. This includes information on how victims can seek assistance<\/a> and end the abuse.<\/p>\r\n

To stop domestic violence from recurring, it’s important to understand what it is, the warning signs to look for, and the protections available in New Hampshire<\/a>. You have questions. We’ve gathered answers. Read on for a better understanding of how to deal with acts of domestic violence.<\/p>\r\n

What does New Hampshire consider to be domestic violence?<\/h2>\r\n

Under New Hampshire family law, conduct becomes domestic violence abuse when a person commits certain criminal act(s) against a person who is in a qualified relationship with them under the law. Both elements must be present for a criminal act to be domestic violence.<\/p>\r\n

Domestic violence classification attaches itself to qualifying charges. For example, if an act of sexual assault happens between two former spouses, the charge may be filed as "sexual assault – domestic violence<\/a>." This classification is important because it makes domestic abuse protections available for the victim and can increase penalties against the abuser.<\/p>\r\n

A survivor of domestic abuse may or may not file a request for criminal charges. The process to seek a protective order in family court does not require that.<\/p>\r\n

What relationships qualify a crime to be domestic violence?<\/h2>\r\n

A crime between two strangers is never considered to be domestic violence. It’s still an offense that faces prosecution, but certain familial ties are required for a domestic abuse<\/a> label. Abuse and betrayal from someone a victim trusts makes domestic violence even more heinous.<\/p>\r\n

Those who can commit or be a victim of domestic violence in New Hampshire must be family members or household members. These fall into one of the following groups:<\/p>\r\n