Tennessee Crimes

Even if you do not qualify for a protection order, the abuser may have committed a crime. If you call the police, they may arrest him/her for a crime and you may get a restraining order through the criminal court. Remember that even if you do have a protection order, you can still report him/her to the police if you believe s/he committed a crime against you.

In our Abuse Using Technology section, you can learn the types of behaviors that are considered a misuse of technology. Some of these behaviors might be recognized as a crime depending on the specific laws of your state.

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Tennessee?
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Tennessee?

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Tennessee?

Here is a list of some possible crimes in Tennessee that the abuser may have committed. You can click on the links to read the legal definition of each crime on our State Statutes page:

• Assault
• Aggravated Assault
• Domestic abuse
• Aggravated rape
• Rape
• Aggravated sexual battery
• Sexual battery
• Mitigated statutory rape; statutory rape; aggravated statutory rape
• Continuous sexual abuse of a child
• Rape of a child
• Aggravated rape of a child
• Abuse or neglect
• Aggravated child abuse
• Sexual battery by an authority figure
• Sexual contact with a minor by an authority figure
• Statutory rape by an authority figure
• Sexual exploitation
• Aggravated sexual exploitation
• Especially aggravated sexual exploitation
• Sexual exploitation of minors via electronic means
• Harassment
• Intimidation
• Stalking
• Aggravated stalking (subsection (c))
• Especially aggravated stalking (subsection (d))
• Custodial interference (but see the law regarding who has custody if the child is born out of wedlock)
• Indecent exposure
• Unlawful exposure; image
• Wiretapping and electronic surveillance
• Photographs; dissemination
• Aggravated unlawful photographing
• Observation without consent
• Identity theft
• Extortion
• Electronic tracking devices; motor vehicles.

If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Tennessee?

For information on victims’ compensation in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Department of Treasury’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund website, or contact them by telephone at (615) 741-2734.

The Tennessee Office of the Attorney General has victim liaisons who provide information and assistance to crime victims and their families involved in a criminal case where the defendant is appealing his/her conviction.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and have been charged with a crime, you can go to our Abuse Victims Charged with Crimes page.

Other organizations for victims of crime are listed on our National Organizations - Crime Victims page.