Assault

Abstract

Not only is assault a problem in every country around the world, but it is likely to be one of the most common because of the nature of the crime and the factors involved. Assault occurs not only between intimate partners as you would find with domestic violence, but also between friends and acquaintances, strangers, sports teams, and sports officials. While a number of factors are involved, one of the more common is alcohol. This chapter provides an overview of the crime of assault. Relevant issues relating to the causes and contexts under which assaults occur will be discussed, such as alcohol and bar-related violence, before moving on to sports related violence. First, it is important to determine the exact definition of assault, as well as to determine the frequency of this behavior.