Arkansas

Family Law

Section 9-15-403 – Definitions

As used in this subchapter:

(1) “Emotional abuse” means any of the following acts:

(A) Verbally attacking or threatening a spouse by yelling, screaming, or name-calling;

(B) Using criticism, social isolation, intimidation, or exploitation to dominate a spouse;

(C) Criminally harassing a spouse;

(D) Stalking a spouse;

(E) Threatening a spouse or his or her loved ones;

(F) Damaging a spouse’s possessions; or

(G) Harming the pet of a spouse;

(2)

(A) “Physical abuse” means any of the following acts:

(i) Using physical force in a way that injures a spouse or puts him or her at risk of being injured; or

(ii) Beating, hitting, shaking, pushing, choking, biting, burning, kicking, or assaulting a spouse with a weapon.

(B) “Physical abuse” may consist of one (1) or more incidents described under subdivision (2)(A) of this section;

(3)

(A) “Sexual abuse” means any of the following acts:

(i) Forcing a spouse to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity; or

(ii) Using ridicule or other tactics to try to denigrate, control, or limit a spouse’s sexuality or reproductive choices.

(B) “Sexual abuse” includes rape, sexual assault, or sexual harassment; and

(4)

(A) “Spousal abuse” means an act of violence or mistreatment that a woman or a man may experience at the hands of his or her marital partner, regardless of the timing of the act in terms of the stage of the relationship.

(B) “Spousal abuse” includes any of the following committed by a spouse against his or her spouse:

(i) Emotional abuse;

(ii) Physical abuse; or

(iii) Sexual abuse.

Ark. Code § 9-15-403

Acts 2007, No. 1414, § 1

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