The Valley and Arizona have earned poor marks when it comes to domestic violence.
The state ranks fifth in the nation for the highest domestic violence rates, with about 42.6% of women and 33.4% of men experiencing intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking according to World Population review.
Approximately 304,000 Arizona women have experienced stalking by an intimate partner. Additionally, Arizona had 101 domestic violence-related deaths in 2022, according to the Arizona Coalition to End Domestic Sexual and Domestic Violence.
Domestic violence-related calls in Phoenix have doubled since the start of the pandemic, according to the Phoenix Police Department. Also, domestic violence-related deaths in Arizona have increased 140% compared with last year.
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the lives of survivors, their children and pets. As the nation sheltered in place those who experienced domestic violence had to be sheltered with there abuser.
According to a 2017 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 40% of people in Arizona had experienced domestic abuse. Every 44 minutes in our state, one or more children witness domestic violence, the report also found.
Domestic violence is defined as a violent crime violence or abuse in a domestic setting, such as in cohabitation or marriage. Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which involves a spouse or intimate partner in an intimate partner relationship.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any age and can occur in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Domestic violence can include violence against children, parents, or the elderly and can take on several forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse.
About one in four women and nearly one in nine men in the United States have been victims of physical violence or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey from the CDC. This includes violent acts like beating, burning or strangling.
The same survey shows that one in five women and one in four men have been victims of rape.
The view from those helping
Myriah Mhoon is CEO of Arizona’s largest domestic violence shelter New Life Center. For the past 12 years, Mhoon has dedicated her professional life to working with the most vulnerable populations.
New Life Center opened its doors nearly 30 years ago in what was then an unused dormitory and a few storage rooms in The Wigwam. The center has since become Arizona’s largest domestic violence shelter, a haven for women, children and men who have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking.
Since its doors first opened on Oct. 7, 1991, New Life Center has served thousands of victims of abuse, but it wasn’t an easy road for early shelter champions in the West Valley.
New Life Center offers multiple domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking services and is one of the regional leaders in sexual assault investigation training – helping officers and detectives learn and implement trauma-informed tactics.
“I think we are still continuing to count domestic violence cases during the pandemic when our state was closed down. We saw a spike in fatalities as resources and organization like New Life Center were closed. With what we know, a lot of families were stuck in their house with perpetrators of domestic or sexual violence and, unfortunately, the trend for domestic and sexual violence has gone up, trauma needs and mental health are up, and now there is a gap in affordable housing for survivors.” Mhoon said.
In Phoenix, 2020 domestic violence deaths jumped 180% compared with the same period in 2019.
Mhoon also stated before the pandemic the state would see between 100 and 115 deaths a year from domestic violence.
Because domestic violence is traumatizing and deadly, services by New Life Center are confidential to protect victims.
Although most survivors who use services from New Life Center are women, Mhoon said men and the elderly tend to not seek services.
“We do serve a large percent of women, however, violence affects male survivors as well. In fact in the U.S. one in three women and one in four men experience domestic violence. Those statistics don’t represent what we see from New Life Center,” Mhooon stated.”I think just like male victims, the elder population needs the public to know that these violence acts can be acted by the elderly and they are also victims. Acts of physical, emotion, finical or sexual mistreatment are happening by an intimate partner, relative or caregiver.” Mhoon said.
Her guess as to why this issue goes underreported is the social stigma of men and elders being victim of partner violence when historically for women are the victims seen by the media.
What the state is seeing
Abuse in Later Life grant project, created by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women for victims of late-life abuse in Maricopa County and surrounding areas, from August 2020 through September 2023.
Arizona Abuse in Later Life partners meet monthly in a coordinated community response team to collaborate on resources, protocols, and systems checks related to elder abuse. Partners will follow the guiding principles and strategies as written in the grant.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security Adult Protective Services program is responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults, including older adults.
According to its data dashboard, Maricopa County for 2023 is seeing 11,107 reported cases of domestic abuse with 7,775 of those cases coming from those age 60 and up.
The data also found last year during the month of August, a reported 603 of domestic violence came from a caregiver or resident manager, which comprised 27.6% of new cases for that month.
Tasya C. Peterson, press secretary from the department, said common types of elder abuse people should look out for are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
Signs of possible maltreatment include unexplained injuries, changes in habits, communication, personal appearance or mood, displaying apprehension around certain people, absence of food and basic necessities and poor hygiene, Peterson stated.
The agency also shared some preventative measures one to keep a family member safe, including staying connected to caregivers, checking the Adult Protective Services registry for individuals found to have substantiated allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Arizona. Use the ADHS Care Check for facility-related licensing incidents. Refer to the Maricopa County Legal Remedies and Victim Resource Guide for Elder Abuse.
Solutions to domestic violence
Domestic violence isn’t a new issue, but Mhoon said she believes teaching about having healthy and appropriate relations at a young age can prevent these patterns of behavior from developing and continuing.
“I think one of things were are trying to do is bring preventative programing training on dating violence. We know perpetrators oftentimes build on their habits from an early age that continues into their adult life. Dating relations could be a substantial pillar to for society to shift by making sure all and any opportunities to learn about healthy relationships can be taught like we do,” Mhoon stated.
Getting help
If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic or sexual violence please contact appropriate help.
The Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Hotline is 602-279-2980 or text 520-720-3383.
For help at New Life Domestic Violence in Arizona, call 623-932-4404. Or visit there website at newlifectr.org for further information.
Individuals in need can contact the Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Senior Helpline for more information at 602-264-4357 (HELP) or Toll Free 1-888-783-7500.
Frank Espinoza is a recent graduate of Northern Arizona University from the beginning of 2022. He prides himself on covering topics that give a spotlight to individuals or groups who give back to the community. He has covered local sports, community events, and important issues that impact the state. In his spare time, he loves to watch Street League Skateboarding and hang out at Cowtown Skateboards in Goodyear.
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