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Legal Information: North Carolina
Updated:
October 13, 2020What is the legal definition of domestic violence in North Carolina?
This section defines domestic violence for the purposes of getting a domestic violence protective order (DVPO). Domestic violence in North Carolina is when someone you have had a “personal relationship” with does any of the following to you or your minor child:
- attempts to cause bodily injury, or intentionally causes bodily injury;
- places you or a member of your family or household in fear of imminent serious bodily injury;
- continued harassment (as defined here) that rises to such a level as to inflict substantial emotional distress; or
- commits any rape or sexual offense listed here in sections 14-27.21 through 14-27.33.1
If you have not had a “personal relationship” with the abuser, harasser or stalker, you may be eligible for a civil no-contact order.
1 NCGS § 50B-1(a)
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