Terms Used In South Carolina Code 20-4-65

• Abuse: means :
  
  (1) physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the threat of physical harm;
  
  (2) sexual criminal offenses, as otherwise defined by statute, committed against a family or household member by a family or household member. See South Carolina Code 20-4-20
• Order of protection: means an order of protection issued to protect the petitioner or minor household members from the abuse of another household member where the respondent has received notice of the proceedings and has had an opportunity to be heard. See South Carolina Code 20-4-20