Domestic Violence Acts/Crimes
Call 911 if you need help right now.
Domestic violence is hard to define because there is no crime called "domestic violence" in New York State law. Domestic violence is handled through the courts as a "family offense." A family offense is defined as certain acts/crimes in the Penal Law. Below is a list of crimes and what they mean:
| Name of Act/Crime | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Assault | Hit, punch,kick, throw things at, |
| Stalking | Follow, monitor, or track |
| Harassment | Repeatedly do something that causes alarm or distress and serves no useful purpose |
| Aggravated Harassment | Repeatedly do something that causes alarm or distress and serves no useful purpose by using electronic means, like a phone or computer |
| Menacing | Threatening to harm with or without a weapon |
| Reckless Endangerment | Putting the person in a dangerous position that might cause physical injury |
| Strangulation/Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Circulation | Strangle or choke, putting hand on the neck and squeezing even slightly; blocking nose or mouth |
| Disorderly Conduct | Behavior that disturbs others, like drunken yelling or fighting |
| Criminal Mischief | Destroy or take property without permission, even if it is property that you own together. Examples: breaking a cell phone or scratching a car |
| Sexual Abuse/Sexual Misconduct/Forcible Touching | Any unwanted sexual conduct |
| Intimidation | Actions or words that make someone afraid or force them to do something or stop them from doing something |
| Threats | Words said to make someone afraid |
Identity Theft | Using someone’s personal information or credit without their permission |
Grand Larceny | Taking someone’s property worth more than $1,000.00, without their permission and with no intent to return it |
Coercion | Trying to prevent someone from doing something that they have the legal right to do |
Any other violation of the Penal Law |
and/or
