Assault/Battery

Assault is the intentional act of causing injury to another person, the attempt or threat to physically injure another person, or intentionally physically contacting a person knowing they will be provoked. Battery is the unlawful beating of another person, or other physical violence directed by the accused to the victim or victims.

Not only is it a criminal act for which the perpetrator can be prosecuted, assault and battery is the basis of civil suit for damages the victim can bring against her batterer.