Any person who believes that they or a member of their family has been on the receiving end of family violence should consult with an attorney immediately.
Texas statutes define domestic violence as:
“Tex. Fam. Code § 71.004 (2011). “Family violence” means:
(1) an act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or that is a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, but does not include defensive measures to protect oneself;
(2) abuse, as that term is defined by Sections 261.001(1)(C) [physical injury resulting in substantial harm or the genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury], (E) [sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, pr physical welfarel, and (G)[child prostitution as defined by the Texas Penal Code], by a member of a family or household toward a child of the family or household; or
Dating violence, as that term is defined by Section 71.0021 .
A family member who has been a “victim” of violence has access to special protection from the legal system.