Domestic Violence

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What Is

Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence refers to a pattern of abusive or coercive behaviors in any intimate or familial relationship, used to gain or maintain power and control over another person.

Recognize it

Domestic Violence is an umbrella term for many forms of violence that occur in intimate or familial relationships, but are often thought of as being unrelated to or apart from domestic violence which can act as a barrier for victims/survivors and their supportive networks in getting help to end the violence in their lives.

These can include:

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Animal Abuse

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Child Abuse

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Abuse Later in Life

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Intimate Partner Violence

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Intimate Partner Sexual Violence

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Family Violence

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Stalking

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Teen Dating Violence

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Human Trafficking

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Legal Abuse

Under Arizona Revised Statute §13-3601 passed in 1980,  “Domestic violence” is defined as any act that is a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or an offense which happens between parties which pass the relationship test:

  • Current or former spouses
  • Child(ren) in common
  • Pregnant by the other
  • Related by blood or marriage
  • Current or former cohabitants
  • Current or former dating/sexual partners

If a peace officer determines the relationship test is passed, a domestic violence tag can be added to charges. To summarize, the legal definition for domestic violence in Arizona is a tag crime, “crime + relationship = domestic violence.”

Did You Know?

According to a survey conducted by the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually, in the United States. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime with a negative impact such as being concerned for their safety, fear injury, or needing victim services.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, class, education, ability status, legal status, etc. There is no universal set of characteristic or personality traits shared by those affected by domestic violence. Likewise, anyone can be the person causing harm in the intimate or familial relationship regardless of  gender or gender identity,  race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, class, education, ability status, legal status, etc. People who cause harm can differ in patterns of abuse and levels of dangerousness but do share the belief that they are not equals with their partners and others who they are harming.

Get Help

If you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic violence, help is available.

If you’d like to connect with a Victim Services Specialist on the Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline.

Contact

To access more information or if you’d like to speak with our team.

Contact Us

To look at our interactive map of services currently available around the state. These resources can provide a guide towards healing, legal assistance and court advocacy, medical care, safety planning, therapy services, and support groups.

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If you are interested in receiving a training or need support from our Domestic Violence Response Team/Department, please contact us or click on here to fill out a request form.

Our team is available to provide statewide trainings and expertise in a variety of modalities and for all audience types.