The following National Spousal Abuse FAQs are provided by the Legal Studies Program.

Funded by the Department of Justice Canada.

Warning: 

The contents of these FAQs are intended as general legal information only. If you have
a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.



What would be included as physical abuse?

Physical abuse can include hitting, punching, slapping, pushing, pinching, kicking, burning, 
shooting, stabbing or cutting. Physical abuse is legally known as assault. A person commits 
assault when they intentionally use force or try to use force against a person without  consent.