When can an act be considered to be DV(domestic violence) or not.?

Question

When the relationship between a husband and wife is good they have an argument and calls her something abusive. Afterwards they kiss and make up. She relays this to a feminist friend, who says that is DV. The wife says "don't be silly its normal to argue occasionally. I call him worse"

However two years later, constant bickering and arguing the marriage is in a bad state. Same argument husband repeats the same abusive word to her. She storms off.

Next day she relays the events again to her feminist friend. Her friend says, "It's DV". This time the wife agrees and calls the police and has the husband arrested and thrown out of his home.

Why is the first instance not DV yet the second instance considered DV? Any thoughts.

Answer 1

I had no idea that name calling was considered domestic violence.. WOW!!!

So if I call my husband a piece of **** husband. He can have me arrested? (which he isn't actually he is a good husband/father)

Answer 2

Name-calling is verbal abuse, and that's DV.  Most people I know who name-call do it again and again..It doesn't happen once.

Name-calling your significant other or your kids can be damaging over time, because they start believing it and suffering from low self-esteem. Do you want your loved ones to go through that? Don't name-call.

Answer 3

I didn't know that name calling was considered a DV offense. With that said I have never had a boyfriend call me a name and  I didn't say it right back to him.

Answer 4

Apparently, it was DV both times...but the wife didn't acknowledge it.  I would hope that he reports this in his defense....

Answer 5

You can't be "arrested and thrown out of your home" for name-calling. I understand that it is categorized as "DV" but only certain types of DV will get you arrested. And it's NOT the name calling type.

You can't even get a spot in a shelter if all you're experiencing is verbal abuse. It HAS to be physical abuse.

EDIT-Thanks for the link, but I couldn't open it. Is there anything that you have that can show that name-calling (let alone waving) can get you arrested? And maybe it DOES happen in the UK ( I don't know) but it doesn't happen in the states.