Accusations of domestic violence can turn serious, particularly when you face charges. Domestic violence includes contact with a person who may regard your communication as threatening, offensive or provocative. Stalking includes contact and harassment that leads the other person to believe you to be dangerous.
Sometimes, people know little about what constitutes stalking or how it coincides with domestic violence.
What stalking includes
Stalking is not always following someone with the intent to harm. Stalking can include a variety of actions. When women or men feel stalked, they are more likely to assume they may become victims of violence. Stalking can consist of unwanted contact via social media, phone calls or text messages. For example, if you have an ex-partner who wants no contact with you, leaving voicemails and text messages may appear stalking. Likewise, if you show up where he or she works or in a place where you know the person may be, this can look like stalking.
The problem with stalking accusations is it becomes your word against the other person’s. You can face charges due to allegations, regardless of your intent.
How stalking becomes domestic violence
While most people consider domestic violence to involve physical harm, it does not have to. It can include reckless endangerment of another person or negligent injury, but additionally, it can include any threat or perceived threat. If the other person believes that you may hurt him or her, you can face domestic violence charges. The plaintiff has to feel as though he or she faces imminent harm. Unwanted contact can bring up feelings of fear.
A criminal assault charge can happen even if you never touch the person.