The term domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner; by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state or jurisdiction; or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state or jurisdiction.

In an emergency, victims of domestic violence should call 911 or contact state or local law enforcement officials who can respond to these crimes. Individuals in need of non-emergency assistance can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit www.TheHotline.org.

In Alabama, domestic violence is defined under the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 13A-6-130, as an incident resulting in physical injury, harm, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm between family or household members. This includes current or former spouses, parents, children, people with whom the victim has a child in common, current or former household members, and those in or who have been in a dating or engagement relationship. The state categorizes domestic violence offenses into three degrees based on the severity of the crime, with first-degree domestic violence being the most serious. Penalties vary depending on the degree of the offense and can include imprisonment, fines, and mandatory participation in a domestic violence treatment program. Victims of domestic violence in Alabama can seek protection through legal orders, such as protection from abuse orders (PFA), which can provide immediate and long-term legal protection. In cases of emergency, victims are urged to call 911, while non-emergency assistance can be sought through the National Domestic Violence Hotline or local support services.