The legal definition of family violence, under the Women's Charter, is the commission of any of these acts:
- wilfully or knowingly placing, or attempting to place, a family member in fear of hurt;
- causing hurt to a family member by such act which is known or ought to have been known would result in hurt;
- wrongfully confining or restraining a family member against his will; or
- causing continual harassment with intent to cause or knowing that it is likely to cause anguish to a family member.
A family member is defined as the person's:
- spouse or former spouse
- child (including adopted child or step-child)
- parent
- parent-in-law
- sibling
- relative or an incapacitated person whom the Court regards as a member of the person's family.
Committing violence is an offence in the eyes of the law - and one of the most destructive is violence in the home.