District Of Columbia § 22-1831 - Definitions.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 22-1831 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 22-1831. Definitions.
22-1831For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
“Abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process” means the use or threatened use of law or legal process, whether administrative, civil, or criminal, in any manner or for any purpose for which the law was not designed, to exert pressure on another person to cause that person to take some action or refrain from taking some action.
“Business” means any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, holding company, joint stock, trust, and any legal entity through which business is conducted.
“Coercion” means any one of, or a combination of, the following:
Force, threats of force, physical restraint, or threats of physical restraint;
Serious harm or threats of serious harm;
The abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process;
Fraud or deception;
Any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that if that person did not perform labor or services, that person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint;
Facilitating or controlling a person’s access to an addictive or controlled substance or restricting a person’s access to prescription medication; or
Knowingly participating in conduct with the intent to cause a person to believe that he or she is the property of a person or business and that would cause a reasonable person in that person’s circumstances to believe that he or she is the property of a person or business.
“Commercial sex act” means any sexual act or sexual contact on account of which or for which anything of value is given to, promised to, or received by any person. The term “commercial sex act” includes a violation of , , §§ to , §§ to , and .
“Debt bondage” means the status or condition of a person who provides labor, services, or commercial sex acts, for a real or alleged debt, where:
The value of the labor, services, or commercial sex acts, as reasonably assessed, is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt;
The length and nature of the labor, services, or commercial sex acts are not respectively limited and defined; or
The amount of the debt does not reasonably reflect the value of the items or services for which the debt was incurred.
“Labor” means work that has economic or financial value.
“Serious harm” means any harm, whether physical or nonphysical, including psychological, financial, or reputational harm, that is sufficiently serious, under all the surrounding circumstances, to compel a reasonable person of the same background and in the same circumstances to perform or to continue to perform labor, services, or commercial sex acts to avoid incurring that harm.
“Services” means legal or illegal duties or work done for another, whether or not compensated.
“Sexual act” shall have the same meaning as provided in .
“Sexual contact” shall have the same meaning as provided in .
“Venture” means any group of 2 or more individuals associated in fact, whether or not a legal entity.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 22-1831
What does D.C. Code § 22-1831 cover?
Section 22-1831 ("Definitions.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 22-1831?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 22-1831" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 22-1831 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.