Family violence is a real and present danger to many Texas Citizens. Thus, it is important to know what exactly constitutes family violence under Texas law, what individuals must report family violence, and to what authorities must the violence be reported to. To tackle all of this, let’s dive into the statute.

What Is Family Violence

According to the Texas Family Code, FAM §71.004, family violence is defined as follows:

1. an act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or that is a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, but does not include defensive measures to protect oneself;
2. abuse, as that term is defined by Sections 261.001(1)(C), (E), and (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K), by a member of a family or household toward a child of the family or household; or
3. dating violence, as that term is defined by Section 71.0021.

It is important to note that this statute does not include the reasonable discipline of a child.

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