The term domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner; by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state or jurisdiction; or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state or jurisdiction.

In an emergency, victims of domestic violence should call 911 or contact state or local law enforcement officials who can respond to these crimes. Individuals in need of non-emergency assistance can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit www.TheHotline.org.

In Arizona, domestic violence is not a separate crime but is a designation applied to a range of offenses when they occur within a domestic or family context. The term encompasses a variety of crimes when committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, someone with whom the victim has a child, a cohabitant or former cohabitant as a spouse or intimate partner, or any other person similarly situated under Arizona's family violence laws. It also includes acts against protected adults or youth under these laws. Arizona statutes define domestic violence offenses to include acts such as assault, aggravated assault, stalking, intimidation, and other crimes when they occur between individuals in a domestic relationship. Victims of domestic violence in Arizona should call 911 in emergencies. For non-emergency assistance, they can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit www.TheHotline.org. Additionally, Arizona law enforcement agencies are trained to respond to domestic violence incidents and can provide immediate help and protection.