Definitions of Domestic Violence - North Dakota

Date: January 2021

Defined in Domestic Violence Civil Laws

Citation: Cent. Code § 14-07.1-01

When inflicted on a complaining family or household member, 'domestic violence' includes any of the following:

  • Physical harm, bodily injury, sexual activity compelled by physical force, or assault
  • The infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or sexual activity compelled by physical force
  • Assault that is not committed in self-defense

Defined in Child Abuse Reporting and Child Protection Laws

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Defined in Criminal Laws

Citation: Cent. Code § 12.1-17-01.2

A person is guilty of an offense if that person willfully causes any of the following:

  • Bodily injury to the actor€™s family or household member
  • Substantial bodily injury to the actor€™s family or household member
  • Serious bodily injury to the actor€™s family or household member

Persons Included in the Definition

Citation: Cent. Code §§ 14-07.1-01: 12.1-17-01.2

In civil and criminal law: 'Family or household member' means any of the following:

  • A spouse or former spouse
  • Family member
  • A parent or child
  • Persons related by blood or marriage
  • Persons who are in a dating relationship
  • Persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past
  • Persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they are or have been married or have lived together at any time
  • For the purpose of the issuance of a domestic violence protection order, any other person with a sufficient relationship to the abusing person, as determined by the court