assaulted

Assaulted is the past participle and simple past form of the verb assault. In general English usage, to assault someone means to attack them physically or to threaten an attack with the apparent ability to cause harm. When someone says they were assaulted, they usually mean they were subjected to violence or the threat of violence, rather than that they merely disliked the person’s actions.

In criminal law, assault and related terms describe offenses involving intentional threats or attempts to commit violence. Definitions vary by jurisdiction. In many places, assault refers to the intentional act of causing another person to fear imminent harmful contact, even if no physical contact occurs. Battery refers to the actual application of force. Some jurisdictions combine the two into a single offense simply called assault or assault and battery. Aggravated assault typically involves serious injury, the use of a weapon, or the victim being particularly vulnerable.

Historically, the term comes from Old French assaut or assaut, from Latin roots referring to leaping or rushing forward, originally in a military sense. In modern usage, assault retains notions of threat or attempted harm rather than only actual injury.

Because of legal variation, anyone studying or reporting an incident should consult local statutes and definitions to understand how the term is applied in that jurisdiction.