MDSVPTBs Definition of Domestic Violence

The act creating the Michigan Domestic and Sexual 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.