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 Connecticut, domestic violence, also known as family violence, is defined under state law as an incident resulting in physical harm, bodily injury, or assault, or an act of threatened violence that constitutes fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault, including stalking or a pattern of threatening, between family or household members. Family or household members encompass spouses, former spouses, parents, children, persons related by blood or marriage, persons other than those related by blood or marriage but presently residing together or who have resided together, persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they are or have been married or have lived together, and persons in, or have recently been in, a dating relationship. Connecticut law provides for various protective measures for victims, including restraining orders and family violence intervention units within law enforcement agencies. Victims of domestic violence should call 911 in emergencies to receive immediate assistance from local law enforcement. For non-emergency support, victims can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit www.TheHotline.org for resources and assistance.