Virginia legal term
Family abuse in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Family abuse” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Family abuse” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Family abuse" means any act involving violence, force, or threat that results in bodily injury or places one in reasonable apprehension of death, sexual assault, or bodily injury and that is committed by a person against such person's family or household member. (Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-228)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.