10. Non-fatal offences against the person
This chapter discusses the provisions of criminal law for non-fatal offences against the person in Great Britain, which include assault, battery, malicious wounding, grievous bodily harm, and racially and religiously aggravated assaults. It examines the distinction between these major offences against the person and discusses the actus reus and mens rea elements of them. The chapter evaluates the use of the consent and lawful chastisement in legal defence, analyses the relevant provisions of the Harassment Act 1997 and the new offence of coercive control, and reviews some recent reform proposals. It also provides examples of related cases and comments on the bases of court decisions on each of them.