What is meant by 'forcibly assault' in legal terms?

The term 'forcibly assault' encompasses actions that lead to the reasonable fear of imminent harm to an individual. This aligns with the concept of behavior that inspires fear in a reasonable person, which defines the psychological aspect of assault. In legal terms, assault does not always require physical contact; rather, it can occur through actions or threats that lead an individual to reasonably fear for their safety. Therefore, the focus is on the effect of the conduct on the victim and the reasonable person's perspective.

In contrast, merely using a weapon to harm defines physical assault more than the concept of 'forcibly assault,' as it requires physicality rather than the psychological element. Coming into close contact with someone does not inherently imply an assault, as proximity does not equate to an intention to harm. Making threats without physical action can contribute to an assault but does not fully capture the notion of 'forcibly' as understood in a legal context without considering the resulting fear it may incite.