What does the term 'battery' refer to in legal terms?

In legal terms, 'battery' specifically refers to unlawful touching without consent. This means that if one person intentionally makes physical contact with another person in a harmful or offensive manner, it constitutes battery. It is important to understand that this contact does not have to cause physical injury; it can simply be any unwanted or non-consensual touch that would be considered offensive to a reasonable person.

The focus here is on the lack of consent and the intention behind the action. For instance, even a light touch can be classified as battery if it is done without the other person's approval or if it is meant to offend. This concept emphasizes personal autonomy and the legal boundaries surrounding physical interactions between individuals. Understanding battery is essential in legal contexts, as it concerns the protection of individuals' rights to their own bodies.