3.1 Domestic violence
This means any active or omitted conduct, constant or not, of using physical force or psychological violence, intimidation, persecution or threat against a woman by her spouse, common-law spouse, former spouse, ex-spouse, a person with whom she maintains or maintained a relationship of affection, ascendants, descendants, collateral relatives, blood relatives and the like (Article 15 Act on Women's Right to a Life Free From Violence).
3.2 Stalking
This means all abusive conduct, particularly behaviors, words, acts, gestures, written or electronic messages directed to follow, intimidate, blackmail, affect, punish or watch a woman that may affect her emotional stability, dignity, reputation, physical or psychological integrity, which may put at risk her employees, promotion and acknowledgment in her job or outside it (Article 15 of the Act on Women's Right to a Life Free From Violence; it is also included in Article 40 as a felony sanctioned with prison for between eight and 20 months).
3.6 Civil protection order
Civil protection orders are known as preventive measures for security and protection, which are imposed by the competent authority to safeguard life and to protect the physical, emotional and psychological integrity and property of women victims of violence (Article 9 of the Act on Women's Right to a Life Free From Violence).
3.7 Causes of action
An action can be caused whenever a woman alleges that there was an act of violence against her caused by any person. The Act on Women's Right to a Life Free from Violence considers the following to be violent acts: psychological violence, harassment, threat, physical violence, sexual violence, aggression, forced prostitution, sexual slavery, sexual harassment, workplace violence, patrimonial and economic violence, obstetric violence, forced sterilization, a public offense based on gender, institutional violence, femicide, inducing or aiding suicide and women trafficking (Article 39-55 of the Act on Women's Right to a Life Free From Violence).
3.8 Marital rape
There is no specific definition under Venezuelan legislation for marital rape. However, under the Criminal Code, rape will be considered a forced sexual act committed by a person on another under violence or threats (Article 375 of the Criminal Code).
In addition, the Act on Women's Right to a Life Free From Violence considers as a violent sexual act where a man, through violence or threats, forces his wife, concubine, the person with whom he is married or maintains a union stable in fact or not into a carnal act vaginally, anally or orally, or the insertion of objects by any of these ways (Article 15, Section 7 of the Act on Women's Right to a Life Free From Violence).