Physical violence is when an individual or a group attacks or threatens to attack someone physically. This may or may not involve the use of a weapon.
Examples of physical violence include:
- scratching
- kicking
- pushing
- punching
- throwing things
- physically restraining.
Physical assault can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age or any other characteristic. Physical assault can also include the following:
- Discrimination or hate crime– if the assault was motivated by hostility towards a person or group due to a protected characteristic.
- Domestic violence – if the assault happened within a relationship or between family members.
- Sexual assault and rape – if the assault was of a sexual nature.
Resources
- Violent crime (Victim Support)