Abuse/Personal Safety

D.O.V.E.S. Network (Daily Overcoming Violence and Embracing Safety

Vision

Empowering Teens, Breaking Cycles

Imagine a world where every teen affected by Childhood Domestic Violence (CDV) and Sexual Abuse finds strength, healing, and hope. At D.O.V.E.S. Network®, we're not just imagining it—we're making it a reality.

​D.O.V.E.S.—Daily Overcoming Violence and Embracing Safety—is more than an acronym. It's our promise to every teen we serve. From our home base in Maricopa, Arizona, to our growing network of chapters nationwide, we're on a mission to transform lives and communities.

What Sets Us Apart​

We're not a therapy center. We're a launchpad for healing, growth, and empowerment. Through our innovative, trauma-informed programs, we offer:

• Prevention - Equipping teens with the knowledge to recognize and prevent abuse.
• Empowerment - Building self-confidence and life skills for a brighter future.
• Intervention - Providing safe spaces and peer support for healing.

Our Impact

• 24 teens directly impacted through intervention programs
• Over 1 million viewers reached through prevention trainings
• 100+ families supported in overcoming violence
• Expanding reach with chapters in Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas

We believe in the following

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - We believe equity should be a true norm. We believe in the equality of all and in individual human rights, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, immigration status, age, gender identity/expression, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disability, veteran’s or military status, or any other protected characteristic under the law. We believe in the strength of diversity and value differences among ourselves and our communities.

Check the website link below for a better understanding of what the Doves Network offers.

You CAN Rise Above Abuse (Hope Women's Center)

6 Things to Consider:

1. Are you safe?
2. Consider filing a report with the police so the incident and information are recorded and kept on file.
3. Consider filing an order of protection so a legal boundary between you and the abuser is in place (azpoint.azcourts.gov).
4. Take pictures of your injuries, with your face visible in the pictures. Send the pictures to someone you trust.
5. Attend our free Anger Management or Rise Above Abuse classes.
6. Attend our free 1:1 mentoring program.

Preparing a Safety Plan:

Keep helpful numbers accessible:

• National DV Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE
• Chrysalis 24 hr. Hotline 602-944-4999
• DV STOP 480-890-3039 or 1-844-SAFEDVS

Make a list of important numbers and keep it with you at all times.

Have gas in your car at all times.

Keep your phone charged at all times.

If possible, make copies of important documents and keep them at a trusted friend's home.

If possible, set money aside and keep it at a trusted friend's home.

The Maricopa Family Advocacy Center

The Maricopa Family Advocacy Center empowers victims of violence and neglect through the collaboration of connected professionals.

Staff consisting of representatives from the Pinal County Law Enforcement with the Department of Child Services, and medical and mental health professionals is available to address the physical, emotional, and legal dimensions of abuse.

Forensic interviews and medical exams are conducted by specially trained personnel.

Advocate services on site to facilitate referrals and other resources for victims and their families.

Ensuring victims receive respect and dignity throughout their navigation of the criminal justice system.

These services are accomplished by:

• Providing a coordinated, specialized approach from expert professionals to reduce stress during the investigation and response to crimes of interpersonal violence.
• Providing services in a comfortable, convenient location sensitive to victims' needs.
• Minimizing trauma and re-victimization by limiting the number of interviews and medical exams to which victims are subjected.

Non-Emergency number: 520-568-3673

Maricopa Police Department: 520-316-6800

Victim Assistance Program (VAPs): VAPS@MARICOPA-AZ.GOV

What is Domestic Violence? (Copywritten by Hope Women's Center, 2023)

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner in an intimate relationship to maintain power and control over the other partner. Domestic violence is any physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats that influence or manipulate the other partner in a relationship. Still not sure your situation is DV?

Ask yourself, does your partner . . .

1. Threaten to harm or kill himself if you leave the relationship?
2. Threaten harm to those you love or to pets?
3. Accuse you of cheating, stalk you or monitor you, or act jealous or possessive of you?
4. Pressure you sexually or withhold affection from you as punishment?
5. Isolate you or abuse you emotionally or verbally?
6. Control your access to money or withhold money from you?
7. Cause you to feel afraid or worthless all or most of the time?
8. Use and/or abuse substances? Hurt you physically?
9. Has the physical violence increased in severity in the past year?
10. Are there guns in the home, have you been threatened with a weapon, or has your partner ever tried to choke you?

Hope Women’s Center – City of Maricopa

Hope’s mission is to engage, encourage, and equip women and teen girls facing any difficult life situation. We guide women from trauma to transformation!

Hope Women's Center is a faith based, trauma informed care center serving women and teen girls facing any difficult life situation. Whatever the adversity - Hope's holistic approach helps engage, encourage, and equip women in all stages of life. All services are free and Hope Women's Center has six locations across Arizona.

Messages left for our centers will be listened to and calls returned as soon as possible on the next business day the center is open.

If you are in immediate crisis please call:

602-222-9444 (Maricopa County)
or
1-844-534-4673 (HOPE) (Statewide)

You may also text 4HOPE (44673)

If you need immediate shelter resources, please call 211.

Community Alliance Against Family Abuse

As of July 1st, 2021, CAAFA is merging into A New Leaf.

As a long-standing leader in domestic violence services, A New Leaf is now operating Community Alliance Against Family Abuse’s existing programs. This partnership is a step in a new direction for both organizations and we’re excited to join forces to strengthen services for survivors in Pinal County and Eastern Maricopa County!

Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA) provides trauma-informed, person- centered comprehensive services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Pinal and Eastern Maricopa Counties.

Founded in 1998, Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA) is the first and only non-profit sexual and domestic abuse service provider in Northern Pinal County.

Our Community Outreach team provides advocacy and counseling services to survivors by traveling throughout the counties.

Within our Outreach team are our Legal Advocates who assist survivors in navigating the legal systems, and our THRIVE Specialist, who provides services to survivors through a transition-in-place program.

We have a Licensed Counselor on staff who provides therapy and counseling to survivors and facilitates support groups.

We also operate an emergency safe house 24/7, 365 days a year.

Our Emergency Shelter program provides survivors who are fleeing abuse and their children with a safe place to stay, during which time they can choose to receive healing and counseling services, legal advocacy services, psycho- education, and case management services to assist them with securing permanent housing and maintaining independence free from violence.

CAAFA has adopted an evidence-based, low-barrier model to promote autonomy and choice for survivors.

Our facilities are ADA accessible, and we make every effort to provide services to survivors that are culturally- sensitive.

All of our services are free and confidential.

Services:

Survivors can find help with the 16-bed emergency shelter, support groups, legal advocacy, case management, sexual assault victim advocacy, food boxes, community outreach services, and more.

Animal Safe Home Network

Animal Safe Home Network is a program supported by Against Abuse designed for our furry friends.

Against Abuse, Inc. is seeking animal safe home providers for our Animal Safe Home Network. To become a provider, please contact the Domestic Violence Community Outreach Supervisor, Sylvia Procela at (520) 836-1239, Ext. 19.

Chicanos Por La Causa

We believe in human dignity.

Everyone deserves the power to live a meaningful life. Unfortunately, structural inequities create barriers for too many, closing off opportunities and fueling injustice. Our programs give individuals and families a seat at the table.

We facilitate growth through five Areas of Impact:

. Health & Human Services
. Housing
. Education
. Economic Development
. Advocacy

Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) was formed in 1969 to fight discrimination against the Mexican American community. Inspired by Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, we advocated for equity in education, politics, and labor conditions. Today, CPLC provides services to people of all backgrounds while honoring our Mexican-American roots.

With offices in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, we impact more than 2 million lives every year.

Shelter Services:

24-hour hotline: 602-269-1515

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.

Mayo Clinic - Domestic Violence Against Women: Recognize patterns, seek help

By Mayo Clinic staff

Domestic violence is a serious threat for many women. Know the signs of an abusive relationship and how to leave a dangerous situation.

Your partner apologizes and says the hurtful behavior won't happen again — but you fear it will. At times you wonder whether you're imagining the abuse, yet the emotional or physical pain you feel is real. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing domestic violence.

Recognize domestic violence

Domestic violence — also called intimate partner violence — occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. Abuse by a partner can happen to anyone, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women. Domestic violence can happen in heterosexual and same-sex relationships.

Abusive relationships always involve an imbalance of power and control. An abuser uses intimidating, hurtful words and behaviors to control a partner.

Use the link below to access this article on domestic violence from the Mayo Clinic staff.

Adult Protective Services (APS)

What is Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation?

Abuse can take many forms. Not all abuse is seen with the naked eye.

Abuse can take many forms, including:

Physical abuse, including intentional infliction of physical harm and injury
Sexual abuse or sexual assault
Emotional abuse
Unlawful imprisonment
Neglect is the deprivation of:

• Food
• Water
• Medication
• Medical services
• Shelter
• Cooling
• Heating
• Supervision
• Other services necessary to maintain minimum physical or mental health.

Exploitation is the illegal or improper use of an individual or their resources for another person's profit or advantage. This can include:

• Misusing cash, credit cards or bank accounts
• Stealing money or household goods and property
• Forced panhandling
• Prostitution

Abuse, neglect and exploitation can occur for many reasons. Also, individuals can be victimized by friends, family members or strangers.

Against Abuse, Inc.

Against Abuse, Inc. has provided social services in Pinal County, Arizona since 1981. Against Abuse, Inc. is a private non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and the community to understand the nature and effects of family violence and the resources available to meet the needs of those abused. I

In addition, the agency has taken a proactive role in providing a family focused, culturally sensitive continuum of prevention and intervention services to individuals and families in need of services.

For a safe, secure and confidential place to stay call 520-836-0858.

Our crisis line is available 24/7. Advocates provide information, referrals, support and assistance.

Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Substance Use

Article written by:

The Orlando Recovery Center

Editor Sonia Tagliareni

Last Updated: April 11, 2023

An interesting article that helps to define the different kinds of abuse and the context in which it occurs. This is an excellent article to better begin to understand many of the issues and challenges of abuse.

Domestic violence is the intentional use of emotional, psychological, sexual or physical force by one family member or intimate partner to control another. Victims of domestic violence who struggle with addiction face significant barriers to receiving treatment, but programs that effectively address addiction and abuse-related trauma are available.

Assisting Vulnerable Adults in Need of Support

APS, a program in the DES Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) reports self-neglect, or the inability to care for oneself, is the most common type of call received. In other cases, vulnerable adults (individuals 18 years of age and older) may be victims of neglect by caregivers, physical, emotional or sexual abuse or financial exploitation.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) estimates that five million seniors experience abuse in the United States every year. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans 60 years or older have experienced some form of abuse, but experts estimate that only one in fourteen cases are reported. Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death compared to those who have not been mistreated.

Elders who are victims of abuse may display the following:

Unexplained bruises, broken bones or abrasions

Unusual withdrawal from normal activities, unusual depression, strained or tense relationships with family or caregivers

Sudden changes in financial situations – i.e., bank accounts or credit cards show unusual spending habits

Unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss

The main perpetrators of other types of abuse tend to be children, grandchildren and spouses of the victims. APS works closely with law enforcement. If officers feel the mistreatment rises to the level of a crime, the alleged perpetrator could be arrested.

Vulnerable adults have the right to live a life free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. When they lack the capacity to meet their basic needs, they should be provided assistance to ensure their safety and well-being. It takes collaborative partnerships between APS, families, and community partners to ensure vulnerable adults are protected.