Commentary on Sections Part 1, Chapter 2 – Aggravation as to Domestic Abuse Section 18: Meaning of personal connection
This section defines what two people are personally connected for the purposes of Chapter 2. Subsection (2) provides that two people are personally connected if they are, or have been, married or in a civil partnership or they live together (or have lived together) as if spouses of each other.  Two people are also personally connected if they are or have been in an intimate personal relationship with each other or are family members.  The term “intimate personal relationship” is intended to cover relationships between two individuals (including young/teenage and same-sex relationships), although the relationship need not be sexual or long-term.
Subsection (3) sets out that a family member covers a person’s parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling.  A family member also covers the parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling of the person that they are in a relevant relationship with.  Subsection (4) defines that two people are in a relevant relationship if they are married or are in a civil partnership, or they live together as if spouses.  Subsection (5) makes provision for the inclusion of half-blood relationships, relationships by affinity and stepchildren when considering family membership.