Many forms of violence are punished at law to preserve order in society, and the trick is to determine the punishment proportional to the crime. One of the things that the law looks at is the victim. It matters a great deal who the victim is. Traditionally, felonies have been reserved for victims who were police officers, paramedics, or other persons acting in the line of duty. As most students of criminal justice know, the law has been slow in helping the victims of spousal abuse , but it is now a felony is many states.
Child abuse is different because traditionally, it has always included neglect as a form of abuse.
Elderly abuse is a new area copying itself on the child abuse model. Hate crime is also a new area of concern. Historically, it was tied to the importance of having able-bodied soldiers to engage in defense of the kingdom. Scarring and involuntary tattooing are included in most state statutes. Consent is not a defense for mayhem.