Family Violence is defined by Section 71.004 of the Texas Family Code as
(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), (E), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), and (M), by a member of a family or household toward a child of the family or household; or
(3) dating violence, as that term is defined by Section 71.0021.
This Texas law broadly construes “family violence” to cover more than just violence by family members. People who are dating or had previously dated3 the defendant can be considered family violence victims, and even people who were roommates or former roommates of the defendant can be considered family violence victims, and such a finding can be used to enhance the charge to Assault Family Violence.