Under Illinois law, domestic violence is actually called domestic battery (or, in some cases, aggravated domestic battery). The law defines it as causing bodily harm to any family or household member or making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with any family or household member.

That can include:

  • Acts of intimidation
  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Biting
  • Choking
  • Kicking
  • Open-handed slapping
  • Punching
  • Sexual abuse
  • Shoving
  • Strangling
  • Threats of harm