Definitions of Domestic Violence - American Samoa

Defined in Domestic Violence Civil Laws

Citation: A.S. Code § 47.0102

'Domestic or family violence' means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts by a family or household member but does not include acts of self-defense:

• Attempting to cause or causing physical harm to another family or household member
• Placing a family or household member in fear of physical harm
• Causing a family or household member to engage involuntarily in sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress

Defined in Child Abuse Reporting and Child Protection Laws

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Defined in Criminal Laws

Citation: A.S. Code § 47.0401

A 'crime involving domestic or family violence' occurs when a family or household member, as defined in § 47.0102, commits one or more of the following crimes against another family or household member:

• Arson
• Assault and harassment
• Burglary, robbery, or tampering
• Homicide offenses (murder, manslaughter, or negligent homicide)
• Kidnapping, felonious restraint, or false imprisonment
• Sex offenses (rape, sexual assault, deviate sexual assault, sexual abuse, or child molesting)
• Stealing and related offenses
• Weapon law violations (unlawful use of weapons, possessing a defaced firearm, unlawfully transferring a weapon, or unlawful possession of firearms and firearm ammunition)
• Offenses against public order (disturbing public peace or disturbing private peace)
• Family offenses (bigamy, incest, abandonment of a child, criminal nonsupport, endangering the welfare of a child, or abuse of a child)
• Property damage and trespass
• Any other crimes that the attorney general deems relevant and necessary

Persons Included in the Definition

Citation: A.S. Code § 47.0102

'Family or household members' include the following:

• Adults or minors who are current or former spouses
• Adults or minors who live together or who have lived together
• Adults or minors who are dating or who have dated
• Adults or minors who are engaged in or who have engaged in a sexual relationship
• Adults or minors who are related by blood or adoption
• Adults or minors who are related or formerly related by marriage
• Persons who have a child in common
• Minor children of a person in a relationship that is described above