Is it still domestic abuse if no one got hurt?

Question

If there are no emotional or physical injuries at all, just a brief, spontaneous act in the heat of the moment, is it still considered abuse?

Should it be forgiven since no injury (at all) occurred and it was a one time incident?

This is referring to a single physical strike that did not result in any injury.

Is it really necessary to press domestic violence (DV) charges?

Answer 1

abuse is an abuse wheather inheat of the moment or deliberate.. its a act of shame coz it hurts people if those people are our close ones that is an indespicable act it even makes us guilty.............what ever people say to defend themselves an abuse always and always produces bad results

Answer 2

I think what needs to happen is that the two people involved in this incident sit down with a marriage counselor and find better ways to communicate and better ways to resolve differences.

Little children hit, bite, etc. before they have words. It's how they communicate. As adults, when we feel our words are ineffective or we are not being understood, we revert back to that and act out physically.

The problem is that when adults act out physically, people can get hurt. So it's important that they work with someone who can help both people feel heard and understood.

Whether you are a man or woman, if you are hitting you can stop. If you are the one being hit and the other person isn't interested in getting help to stop, it may be time to move on.

Change can only happen if they really want it. Don't believe it if you hear, "It will never happen again" if there's no work behind it. You can tell yourself it'll never happen again, but in the heat of the moment if no other skills have been learned it's likely to happen again.

Answer 3

DEFINITELY YES. The worst kind of abuser is the one you give the benefit of the doubt to. The attacker may not attack for months or even years, but more often than not they WILL attack again. Someone acting out violently as in an outburst should be evaluated. It should be reported to the cops right away...remember that football player years ago who killed his ex and her friend(no names need be mentioned) a well documented case of abuse can go a long way!!! If you question whether it's abuse-it usually is and must be dealt with, no matter if the victim only suffered a hang nail!

Answer 4

Abuse? I'd say so. There was still physical aggression. So even though there were no marks, it's still a form of abuse. It depends on the laws where you live.

You can press charges if that's what you want to do, if not lookout for incidences in the future.

Answer 5

I find it absolutely amazing that so many of the posters are using "he" to refer to the abuser. Did you even look at the name "Gary99?" Please. I can almost guarantee you that if this were a woman posting, the question would not be worded as such. Wake up, posters. For those of you that had the sense to read the name and realize it was a man, nice.

My response is, do not yet press charges. Talk to her about it and ask what's going on. Mediation is a LOT better than legal action.

Answer 6

Just because he hit you and you didn't get a black eye or a busted lip or a big fat knot on your head doesn't make it alright. It's dv if he put his hands on you period and it sounds like you are trying to justify it already, "it was in the heat of the moment". You know how many people have been killed in the "heat of the moment"? Sounds like you are starting down the long, miserable road of an abusive relationship. Get out while you can.

Answer 7

She is a violent domestic abuser. Period. Have her ARRESTED and charged with domestic violence (DV).

Use the DV conviction in the divorce proceedings and try to get full custody of any children to protect them from her..

Trust me, you don't want your kids victimized by a violent mother that rationalizes that it is OK "since no one gets hurt."

Do NOT back down. Don't wait until you get "hit in the head with a hammer." Literally.

Answer 8

If the physical strike is already habitual on the part of the one who is inflicting it, the victim need to seek the assistance of the authorities. The hurt need not be physical it could mental abise.

Answer 9

If charges are pressed, nothing is really solved anyway. It just gets the legal system involved then it's out of both of your hands. I say don't press charges, if you wanna move out, just move out. Don't get a bunch of people involved in your private lives. The incident is between the two of you.

Answer 10

oh goody ,my favorite subject :-)
i am trying to stay calm as i answer your question .........i am smiling :-) see?
there is no way , that any sort of physical ,mental acts ,are to be forgiven ,nor any foul language for that matter, at least not in my life .................for it is call : LACK OF RESPECT
i was not put into this world to be brow-beaten , yelled at , nor any sort of domineering position imposed by anyone ......
if you even raised your voice at me , you would find yourself out in the cold in a matter of # one # second !
for it does not take much to let violence rise and get out of hand and control .
people that allow another to touch them ,even , if only once ? will know that , somehow , down the road , one more will come ,
as far as to press domestic charges ? YES ,no doubt in my mind that i would fly faster than superman,to get the phone ,after you are out ,to press charges against you , for an act of violence has not ,any room in my life ..........
now as far as me saying that NO ,charges should not be pressed against you ? my answer will not please you , as you read ,what i truly think of ONE offense only ............