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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

What is domestic violence?

The state of Arizona in a resource booklet on Protective Orders shares the definition as, “A person who uses threats, harasses, molests, stalks, attacks, batters or strikes an intimate partner, family members, or his or her children is committing domestic violence. People from all ethnic, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds can experience domestic violence. A person who is experiencing domestic violence has a legal right to seek relief from the courts by getting an Order of Protection. A person who is seeking protection from harassment but who does not meet the relationship requirements for an Order of Protection may ask the court for an Injunction Against Harassment. In the State of Arizona, domestic violence includes a variety of abusive acts in combination with specific relationships. The crimes and relationships are found in Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 13-3601.”1

Domestic Violence Awareness

Domestic Violence Awareness month was created by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and began as a single “Day of Unity” in 1981. In 1987 October was officially declared as Domestic Violence Awareness month.

The Alarming Statistics

The NCADV states: “On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, etc. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence (e.g. beating, burning, strangling) by an intimate partner in their lifetime.”2

Statistics in Arizona

The NCADV has also prepared in depth state-by-state statistical and informational reports. The 2019 report for Arizona states 3:

  • 36.5% of Arizona women and 27.1% of Arizona men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate
    partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking.
  • In Arizona, first- and second-time domestic violence offenders are not charged with domestic violence; only
    the third incident is charged as domestic violence. First and second offenders are charged with offenses that
    then have ‘domestic violence flags’ attached.
  • In Arizona in 2010, law enforcement made 25,376 domestic violence-flagged arrests, an increase of 17.8%
    over arrests in 2001. Many other incidents were not reported to police or did not end in arrests.
  • Between 2001 and 2010, when controlling for population, arrests for domestic violence aggravated assault
    increased 82%.
  • The most common sentence for a perpetrator convicted of aggravated domestic violence (third offense) was
    probation.
  • There were 109 domestic violence-related deaths in Arizona in 2014.
  • In 2012, Arizona ranked 8th in the nation in femicides per capita.
  • As of December 31, 2015, Arizona had submitted two misdemeanor domestic violence records and no
    protective order records to the NICS Index.

Speak Out. Protect Yourself. Seek Help.

Join together this month and everyday in unity to stop domestic violence. Get to know the warning signs of an abusive relationship as well as other information regarding domestic violence. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ncadv.org) is a powerful organization and resource. In addition, there are many other national and local organizations and resources available online. Furthermore domestic violence help and resources are readily available at most healthcare and emergency services locations such as police and fire stations.

Protective order, otherwise known as restraining orders, are available to those that may be experiencing domestic violence or abuse. An Order of Protection prohibits a person from coming near a home, work site, school, or other locations listed on the court order and provides you with legal recourse for one year if the person who is served violates the order. For additional information regarding protective orders please view our article entitled “Orders of Protection and What do they Do?

If you feel you are in immediate and eminent danger call 911. If you feel that there is no immediate danger and would like to discuss options such as orders of protection, legal separation, divorce or child custody, we invite you to give us a call to schedule a consultation: (480) 285-1735. We are the family law attorneys of Duenas Eden Law, PLC. We will consult, guide and advocate on your behalf in your family law matter. Our Office in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix, AZ and we serve the communities of Chandler, Laveen, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert and San Tan Valley.

Duenas Eden remains open and available to help during these trying times. We are back in the office and offering videoconferencing appointments as much as possible. Per CDC guidelines, we are wearing masks and request that anyone visiting our offices do so as well. If you feel ill, please let us know and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment.

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