Police Department
ARE YOU A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
The law defines domestic violence as:
- Physical harm, bodily injury, assault OR
- the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault between family or household members;
- sexual assault of one family or household member by another, or
- stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by another family or household member.
- spouses, domestic partners, former spouses, former domestic partners
- persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time
- adult persons related by blood or marriage
- adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past
- persons sixteen years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship
- persons sixteen years of age or older with whom a person sixteen years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship
- persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.
- a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that the court may consider in making this determination include:
- The length of time the relationship has existed
- the nature of the relationship
- the frequency of interaction between the parties.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, or know someone who is who you would like to help, please visit our Domestic Violence Resources page to find out where to go for help in Whatcom County.