### Question
How does the law define domestic assault?


### Answer
Under *18 U.S.C. § 117*, **domestic assault** is defined as:

> an assault committed by a current or former spouse, parent, child, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, parent, child, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, child, or guardian of the victim

#### Citation:
  - *18 U.S.C. § 117*
  - Heading: **PART I-CRIMES > CHAPTER 7-ASSAULT**

