Interpersonal Violence
The term “interpersonal violence” refers to domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
1. Domestic Violence: any act of violence or threatened act of violence that occurs between individuals who are involved or have been involved in a sexual relationship, are current or former family members, or adult persons who presently reside together. This includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, threats of bodily harm or safety, or coercive control. Coercive control is: (1) a pattern of behavior used to cause another to suffer physical, emotional, or psychological harm; (2) and is intended to or has the effect of unreasonably interfering with a person’s free will and personal liberty. Examples of coercive control are identified in RCW 7.105.010(4).
2. Dating Violence: is domestic violence as defined under domestic violence except the acts are committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.
3. Stalking: engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to (a) fear for their health and/or safety or the health/safety of others; or (b) suffer substantial emotional distress.
