236.2 - DEFINITIONS.
236.2 DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this chapter, unless a different meaning is
clearly indicated by the context:
1. "Department" means the department of justice.
2. "Domestic abuse" means committing assault as defined in
section 708.1 under any of the following circumstances:
a. The assault is between family or household members who
resided together at the time of the assault.
b. The assault is between separated spouses or persons
divorced from each other and not residing together at the time of the
assault.
c. The assault is between persons who are parents of the same
minor child, regardless of whether they have been married or have
lived together at any time.
d. The assault is between persons who have been family or
household members residing together within the past year and are not
residing together at the time of the assault.
e. (1) The assault is between persons who are in an intimate
relationship or have been in an intimate relationship and have had
contact within the past year of the assault. In determining whether
persons are or have been in an intimate relationship, the court may
consider the following nonexclusive list of factors:
(a) The duration of the relationship.
(b) The frequency of interaction.
(c) Whether the relationship has been terminated.
(d) The nature of the relationship, characterized by either
party's expectation of sexual or romantic involvement.
(2) A person may be involved in an intimate relationship with
more than one person at a time.
3. "Emergency shelter services" include but are not limited
to secure crisis shelters or housing for victims of domestic abuse.
4. a. "Family or household members" means spouses, persons
cohabiting, parents, or other persons related by consanguinity or
affinity.
b. "Family or household members" does not include children
under age eighteen of persons listed in paragraph "a".
5. "Intimate relationship" means a significant romantic
involvement that need not include sexual involvement. An intimate
relationship does not include casual social relationships or
associations in a business or professional capacity.
6. "Plaintiff" includes a person filing an action on behalf
of an unemancipated minor.
7. "Pro se" means a person proceeding on the person's own
behalf without legal representation.
8. "Support services" include but are not limited to legal
services, counseling services, transportation services, child care
services, and advocacy services. Section History: Early Form
[C81, § 236.2] Section History: Recent Form
85 Acts, ch 175, §2; 87 Acts, ch 154, § 1; 89 Acts, ch 279, § 2,
3; 91 Acts, ch 218, §4; 93 Acts, ch 157, §1; 95 Acts, ch 180, § 7;
2002 Acts, ch 1004, §1, 2; 2003 Acts, ch 44, §52; 2009 Acts, ch 41,
§263
Referred to in § 135B.7, 236.5, 236.13, 507B.4, 598.16, 598.41,
611.23, 708.2A, 708.2B, 804.7