Definitions of Domestic Violence - Tennessee

Defined in Domestic Violence Civil Laws

Citation: Ann. Code § 36-3-601

'Abuse' means any of the following:

• Inflicting or attempting to inflict physical injury on an adult or minor by other than accidental means
• Placing an adult or minor in fear of physical harm
• Physical restraint
• Malicious damage to the personal property of the abused party, including inflicting or attempting to inflict physical injury on any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by an adult or minor
• Placing an adult or minor in fear of physical harm to any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by the adult or minor

'Domestic abuse' means committing abuse against a domestic abuse victim, as defined below.

Defined in Child Abuse Reporting and Child Protection Laws

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Defined in Criminal Laws

Citation: Ann. Code § 39-13-111

A person commits 'domestic assault' when he or she commits an assault, as defined in § 39-13-101, against a domestic abuse victim.

Persons Included in the Definition

Citation: Ann. Code §§ 36-3-601; 39-13-111

In civil and criminal law: 'Domestic abuse victim' means any person who falls within the following categories:

• 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 or who have or had a sexual relationship
• Adults or minors related by blood or adoption
• Adults or minors who are related or were formerly related by marriage
• Adult or minor children of a person in a relationship that is described above

'Dating' and 'dated' do not include fraternization between two individuals in a business or social context.