§ 15-15-1 - Definitions.
SECTION 15-15-1
§ 15-15-1 Definitions. – The following words as used in this chapter have the following meanings:
(1) "Courts" means the family court.
(2) "Domestic abuse" means the occurrence of one or more ofthe following acts between present or former family members, parents,stepparents, or persons who are or have been in a substantive dating orengagement relationship within the past one year in which at least one of thepersons is a minor:
(i) Attempting to cause or causing physical harm;
(ii) Placing another in fear of imminent serious physicalharm; or
(iii) Causing another to engage involuntarily in sexualrelations by force, threat of force, or duress.
(iv) Stalking or cyberstalking.
(3) "Parents" mean persons who together are the legal parentsof one or more children, regardless of their marital status or whether theyhave lived together at any time.
(4) "Present or former family member" means the spouse,former spouse, minor children, stepchildren, or persons who are related byblood or marriage.
(5) "Substantive dating" or "engagement relationship" means asignificant and personal/intimate relationship which shall be adjudged by thecourt's consideration by the following factors:
(i) The length of time of the relationship;
(ii) The type of relationship; and
(iii) The frequency of interaction between the parties.
(6) "Stalking" means harassing another person or willfully,maliciously and repeatedly following another person with the intent to placethat person in reasonable fear of bodily injury;
(7) "Cyberstalking" means transmitting any communication bycomputer to any person or causing any person to be contacted for the solepurpose of harassing that person or his or her family;
(8) "Harassing" means following a knowing and willful courseof conduct directed at a specific person with the intent to seriously alarm,annoy, or bother the person, and which serves no legitimate purpose. The courseof conduct must be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffersubstantial emotional distress, or be in fear of bodily injury;
(9) "Course of conduct" means a pattern of conduct composedof a series of acts over a period of time, evidencing a continuity of purpose.Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of"course of conduct."