Under Texas law, does the definition of family violence include "dating violence"?

• A. No.
• B. It varies by jurisdiction.
• C. Yes.
• D. Only if specified by statute.

Answer: (C)

In Texas, dating violence is included under the umbrella of family violence. The statutes extend the protections of family violence beyond spouses and blood relatives to cover individuals who are or have been in a dating relationship with the protected person. This means acts of dating violence can trigger the same remedies and protections—such as protective orders and related enforcement—as acts of family or domestic violence. This statewide approach ensures dating partners have access to the same safeguards as those in traditional family relationships. The other options don’t fit because the law explicitly includes dating relationships, it isn’t a matter of jurisdictional variation, and it isn’t limited to situations only specified by statute.