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ToggleOften, domestic abuse is a pattern of controlling behavior. When a person faces domestic violence accusations, there is sometimes confusion as to what constitutes domestic abuse.
Are acts against an ex considered domestic violence? Can domestic violence include verbal abuse? Arizona law defines who can accuse another person of domestic violence.
Who is the plaintiff in domestic violence cases?
People who face accusations of domestic violence may wonder if the accuser has the right to make that claim. Domestic violence covers specific relationships, including:
- Marriages and former marriages
- Two people living within the same household
- Couples with a child in common or a pregnancy
- Any relationship that is romantic or sexual either in the present or past
- Two people related by blood, court order or through marriage
- Two people who reside or used to reside in the same house, where one is related to a former spouse or another resident of the home
Courts can determine romantic or sexual relationships based on the length of the relationship, the frequency of interaction, the length of time since a relationship’s end and the type of relationship.
Can domestic violence be verbal?
Domestic abuse is not necessarily physical abuse, explains WebMD. Emotional and psychological abuse is also domestic violence. Verbal abuse may include:
- Name-calling
- Yelling
- Threats to harm the person, the person’s children or a pet
- Threats to damage personal property
- Persistent criticism
- Shame
Behavior that intimidates or humiliates the other person is domestic violence. When one person keeps the other financially dependent in order to exert control, that is also domestic abuse.
Author Bio
Matthew L. Lopez
Matthew L. Lopez is the Managing Attorney and founder of Matthew Lopez Law, a criminal defense and DUI firm serving clients throughout Arizona. His track record of case dismissals and charge reductions has earned him honors, including a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 nomination, a “Superb” 10/10 Avvo rating, and a Rising Star designation by Super Lawyers.
Matthew is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and holds active memberships with the Arizona Association for Criminal Justice and the Arizona Association for Justice. His firm handles criminal defense, DUI, drug charges, and traffic offenses, offering free consultations and affordable payment plans to make quality defense accessible to all Arizonans.
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