Assault: What is it?
The definition of assault is "the act of inflicting physical harm or unwanted physical contact upon a person or, in some specific legal definitions, a threat or attempt to commit such an action. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may result in either criminal and/or civil liability"
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-There are different types of assault and even though we are focusing on physical assault, the other types should be addressed as well
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Felonious assault is an unlawful attack or attempted attack, accomplished through force or violence, that causes physical injury to another person. This type of assault involves the use of weapons and/or serious injury. If a weapon is used, an attack is deemed a felonious assault even if no injury occurs. But there need not be a weapon for this designation. If a serious injury occurs due to an assault using hands, fists, or feet, it is also deemed a felonious assault. Therefore, both serious resulting injuries and the use of weapons are triggers for a felonious assault. Assault and battery is an example of a felonious assault. This is a type of incident that results in actual contact made and creates a need for medical attention to the victim.
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Simple assault occurs when a weapon is not used and the resulting injuries that are caused to the victim are minor in nature.
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Physical assault causes grievous bodily harm, such as prior to the commission of a murder or aggravated assault.
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Aggravated assault occurs with the use of a weapon and/or an amount of increased force.
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Sexual assault involves the use of force against the will of the victim, resulting in a rape, molestation, sodomy or similar sexual offense.
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Verbal assault – this is a type of non-physical, oral assault that results in an emotional, mental, and/or psychological injury to the victim, rather than a physical bodily injury
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Examples of physical assault
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Some forms of provocations can be physical assault such as
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insults and death threats ​​
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Using intimidation tactics like
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making a fist
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pushing
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stalking
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stealing/throwing objects.
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Fighting, punching, and injuries that lead to:
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bruises ​
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dislocations
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fractures
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Assault with a weapon
Signs of physical assault
Spotting the signs of physical abuse or assault may not always be easy and every now and then people choose to overlook them because they do not want to believe any physical abuse/assault is happening.
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More obvious signs include:
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Cuts
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Bruises
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Burns
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Restraint or grip markings
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Black eyes
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Unusual pattern of injury; repeated trips to the emergency room
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Some behavioral patterns can be considered as physical assault even if "physical" harm has not occurred
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Name-calling and put downs, attempts to intimidate, ​and threats
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Restricting the victim from going to school or work (controlling what they say or do)
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Possessiveness over victim
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Less obvious signs include:
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Social withdrawal or isolation​
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Depression
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Anxiety; followed by panic attacks
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Fearfulness
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Abuse of drugs and alcohol
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Statistics of physical assault
On average, about 20 people per minute suffer from physical abuse by their intimate partner in the United States
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Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner
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1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime
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1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime
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The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%
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19% of domestic violence involves a weapon
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Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.
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Only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries