{"id":376742,"date":"2016-04-11T01:24:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/utah-law\/utah-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2026-03-06T09:09:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T14:09:29","slug":"utah-family-law-on-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/utah-law\/utah-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Utah Family Law on Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Utah Family Law on Domestic Violence<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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

\n

Under Utah<\/span> family law<\/span>, domestic violence<\/span><\/a> refers to when those considered a cohabitant<\/span> commit abuse such as physical assault, stalking, harassment, or emotional coercion against another cohabitant<\/span>, often a member of their family. Utah<\/span> domestic violence<\/span> crimes carry enhanced penalties, the loss of firearm rights, and the issuance of protective orders<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

There’s a lot to know about domestic violence<\/span> crimes in the state of Utah<\/span>. We have answers to common questions about how family law<\/span> deals with domestic abuse<\/span><\/a> in Utah<\/span>. For a more traditional approach, check out FindLaw’s Utah<\/span> Domestic Violence<\/span> Laws<\/a> article.<\/p>\n

Is domestic abuse<\/span> when someone physically abuses their spouse?<\/h2>\n

It can be, but domestic violence<\/span> is not limited to physical violence. There are many different types of abuse considered to be domestic violence<\/span><\/a>. These include isolation, coercion, sexual assault, and emotional abuse. Domestic violence<\/span> is about the abuser gaining and maintaining power and control<\/a> over a victim.<\/p>\n

For lawmakers in Salt Lake City<\/span>, the acts themselves are not enough to qualify as domestic violence<\/span>. A certain type of relationship has to exist between the abuser and the victim.<\/p>\n

Who can be part of a domestic violence<\/span> crime in Utah<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

While most states define those eligible to be part of a domestic violence<\/span> crime as family members<\/span> and household members, Utah<\/span> has a different term for them. Cohabitants<\/span> are Utah<\/span> residents considered possible to be involved in a domestic violence<\/span> offense<\/span>. In addition to being over the age of 16, each cohabitant<\/span> must fall under one of the following categories<\/a>:<\/p>\n