Definitions of Domestic Violence - Wyoming

Defined in Domestic Violence Civil Laws

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 35-21-102

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

• Physically abusing, threatening to physically abuse, attempting to cause or causing physical harm, or acts that unreasonably restrain the personal liberty of any household member
• Placing a household member in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm
• Causing a 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: Ann. Stat. §§€‚6-2-509; 6-2-510; 6-2-511

A person is guilty of strangulation of a household member if he or she intentionally and knowingly or recklessly causes or attempts to cause bodily injury to a household member by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or blocking the nose and mouth of the household member.

A household member is guilty of domestic assault if, having the present ability to do so, he or she unlawfully attempts to cause bodily injury to another household member. A household member is guilty of domestic battery if he or she knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another household member by use of physical force.

Domestic abuse or battery is punishable by imprisonment for no more than 6 months, a fine of no more than $750.00, or both.

A person is subject to enhanced penalties if he or she has a previous conviction for domestic abuse or battery or any of the following or similar offenses against another household member:

• Simple assault under § 6-2-501(a)
• Battery under § 6-2-501(b)
• Aggravated assault and battery under § 62-2-502
• Child abuse under § 62-2-503
• Reckless endangering under § 6-2-504
• Unlawful contact under § 6-2-501(g)
• Strangulation of a household member under § 6-2-509
• Kidnapping under § 6-2-201
• Felonious restraint under § 6-2-202
• False imprisonment under § 6-2-203

Persons Included in the Definition

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 35-21-102

The term 'household member' includes any of the following:

• Persons married to each other
• Persons living with each other as if married
• Persons formerly married to each other
• Persons formerly living with each other as if married
• Parents and their adult children
• Other adults sharing common living quarters
• Persons who are the parents of a child but who are not living with each other
• Persons who are or have been in a dating relationship