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MDVPTBs Definition of Domestic Violence

The act creating the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, defines "domestic violence" for the purposes of that act as follows:
'Domestic Violence' means the occurrence of any of the following acts by a person that is not an act of self-defense: causing or attempting to cause physical or mental harm to a family or household member; placing a family or household member in fear of physical or mental harm; causing or attempting to cause a family or household member to engage in involuntary sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress; and/or engaging in activity toward a family or household member that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested.

Further, the act defines "family or household member" to include any of the following:

  • A spouse or former spouse.
  • An individual with whom the person has or has had a dating relationship.
  • An individual with whom the person is or has engaged in a sexual relationship.
  • An individual to whom the person is related or was formerly related by marriage.
  • An individual with whom the person has a child in common.
  • The minor child of an individual described in the above bullet points.


Related Documents
DHS Domestic Violence Survivors Handbook - 474242 bytes PDF icon
DHS Domestic Violence Survivors Legal Handbook - Pub78 PDF icon
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 •  Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board
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