The reality of this question is that domestic violence and assault are often intertwined. California’s Code of Criminal Procedure defines assault as the application of any type of harmful force against another person without their consent. “Domestic violence” is a blanket term that applies to any type of harm inflicted among family or household members. This term applies to both direct and indirect harm. For example, physical assault qualifies as domestic violence when it occurs between family members. Threatening a person with bodily harm is assault, but it is only domestic violence if it occurs among family or household members.
Domestic violence that involves physical harm of any kind inflicted on one person by another will lead to severe legal penalties. Victims should report their abuse to police immediately, then contact a Vista domestic violence lawyer to discuss their options.