Definition of Domestic Abuse

1. PER THE REF, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(DOD) TASK FORCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEVELOPED A LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN THE MILITARY 
SERVICES. AS A RESULT OF THE RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE TASK 
FORCE, THE DEFINITION OF SPOUSE ABUSE WITHIN THE DOD HAS
BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE AS DEFINED BELOW.
2. DOMESTIC ABUSE IS DEFINED AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OR A PATTERN OF
BEHAVIOR RESULTING IN EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE, ECONOMIC
CONTROL, AND/OR INTERFERENCE WITH PERSONAL LIBERTY THAT IS DIRECTED
TOWARD A PERSON OF THE OPPOSITE SEX WHO IS:
(A) A CURRENT OR FORMER SPOUSE;
(B) A PERSON WITH WHOM THE ABUSER SHARES A CHILD IN COMMON; OR
(C) A CURRENT OR FORMER INTIMATE PARTNER WITH WHOM THE ABUSER SHARES
OR HAS SHARED A COMMON DOMICILE.
3. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS AN OFFENSE UNDER THE UNITED STATES CODE,
THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE, OR STATE LAW THAT INVOLVES THE
USE, ATTEMPTED USE, OR THREATENED USE OF FORCE OR VIOLENCE AGAINST A
PERSON OF THE OPPOSITE SEX, OR A VIOLATION OF A LAWFUL ORDER ISSUED
FOR THE PROTECTION OF A PERSON OF THE OPPOSITE SEX AS DEFINED ABOVE
IN PAR 2.
4. AS OF 01 JANUARY 2006, THE MARINE CORPS BEGAN UTILIZING THIS
EXPANDED DEFINITION TO CAPTURE ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS IN THE CENTRAL
REGISTRY. COMMANDERS SHOULD ENSURE ALL INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
MEETING THE DEFINITION ABOVE ARE REFERRED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
FAMILY ADVOCACY FOR INCIDENT STATUS DETERMINATION, RISK ASSESSMENT,
AND SAFETY PLANNING.
5. POINT OF CONTACT/ADDRESS/PHONE/FAX:
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS (M&RA)
MARINE AND FAMILY SERVICES BRANCH (MRRO)
3280 RUSSELL ROAD
QUANTICO VA 22134
PHONE: (703) 784-9546
FAX: (703) 784-9825