Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

 Plain Language Law homepage
Back to
194: Assault on a child, or by a male on a female
or “It's against the law to hurt a child or for a man to hurt a woman.”
You could also call this:

“Hurting someone you're close to or used to be close to is against the law.”

If you attack someone you are in a family relationship with, you can go to prison for up to 2 years. This applies if you are currently in a family relationship with the person or if you were in the past.

The law defines what counts as a family relationship. You can find this definition in section 12 of the Family Violence Act 2018.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

Next up: 195: Ill-treatment or neglect of child or vulnerable adult

or “A law that punishes people who seriously hurt or don't take care of kids or adults who need help.”
Next

Part 8 Crimes against the person
Assaults and injuries to the person

194AAssault on person in family relationship

  1. Everyone is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years who—

  2. assaults another person; and
    1. is, or has been, in a family relationship with that other person.

      1. In subsection (1), family relationship has the same meaning as in section 12 of the Family Violence Act 2018.

      2. Repealed
      Notes
      • Section 194A: inserted, on , by section 25(1) of the Family Violence (Amendments) Act 2018 (2018 No 47).
      • Section 194A(3): repealed, on , pursuant to section 25(2) of the Family Violence (Amendments) Act 2018 (2018 No 47).