In Arizona, domestic violence is legally defined by the relationship between the victim and abuser and the type of crime(s) committed. The relationship between the victim and defendant could be:

  • persons married or formerly married;
  • persons residing or having resided in the same household;
  • persons have a child in common or who are expecting a child;
  • persons related by blood or by marriage
  • persons involved in an intimate relationship


The criminal acts defined in the law are: dangerous crimes against children, endangerment, threatening or intimidating, assault, custodial interference, unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping, strangulation/suffocation, criminal trespass, criminal damage, disobeying a court order, disobeying conduct, harassment, stalking, surreptitious photographing, videotaping, filming or digitally recording, child or vulnerable adult abuse.

Have you ever been afraid that your partner might hurt you?

Have you ever been pushed or hit by your partner?

Does your partner tell you it’s because you deserve it?

Does your partner try to control: How you live? How you look? How you act? How you think How you spend money?

Does your partner put you down?

Does your partner blame you when something goes wrong?

Does your partner often accuse you of flirting or “coming on” to other people?

Does your partner demand sex, even when you say “no?”

Do you have to be careful what you say or do so your partner won’t get upset?

Does your partner try to cut you off from your family and friends?

If you can answer YES to any of these questions, you could be a victim of domestic abuse.