Converting Civil Fear Into a Criminal Mandate for Safety.

The Texas Family Code has a long and complex definition for family violence but it boils down to offensive contact with a member of the family, or household, or someone with whom you've had a marriage or dating relationship OR putting that person in reasonable fear of immenint severe physical harm or death. Therefore, a credible threat to harm someone who falls within the statutory definition of "family" can constitute an act of family violence.

If you are falsely accused of family violence, you simply need to show that the incident did not happen or, if it did, it was self-defense or the defense of another person.

Yes. Violent people can also be charming and talk you out of calling law enforcement. Don't let them. No one ever commits just one act of family violence--they simply commit their FIRST act of family violence. Search for "cycle of violence" to learn more about how family violence escalates until the victim escapes or dies. Also, failure to protect your children from a violent environment can be (and quite often is) a reason for CPS to take your children from you.