Domestic Violence

Domestic violence encompasses a range of abusive behaviors that can occur within the home, including intimate partner violence (IPV), child abuse, elder abuse, and abuse by roommates or other household members. Although the terms domestic violence and IPV are often used interchangeably, IPV specifically refers to abuse committed by a current or former romantic partner, such as a dating, sexual, or marital partner. Domestic violence is frequently misunderstood as involving only physical harm; however, it also includes emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. In Utah, domestic violence affects thousands of women, girls, and their families each year - one in three women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime, and domestic violence is a factor in one in three adult homicides statewide. Survivors often face lifelong negative physical, emotional, and social impacts.

A Bolder Way Forward’s Domestic Violence Spoke is led by the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition (UDVC) and Fight Against Domestic Violence (FADV). The Spoke is working with partners statewide to ensure that women, girls, and families in Utah live free from violence in intimate partner and other close relationships, and that all Utahns feel safe, empowered, and hopeful. Learn more about this issue and how you can be part of ending domestic violence in your community through the resources below. Individuals, organizations, and communities can also take specific actions to help. To get engaged, email the Dear Utah initiative (Sierra Holmes).

Key Resources

Informational Video

Resource Kit

Research Snapshot

What Utahns Need to Know

Spoke Podcast

Bold Goals

Through collective impact and systems thinking, Utah can improve things by working towards the following goals:

Reduce domestic violence against women. [Metric Forthcoming]
1. Reduce the number of unmet requests for services from domestic violence victims in Utah due to capacity limitations.
2. Increase public awareness of the impact of domestic violence by amplifying survivor stories through the Dear Utah initiative.
3. Reduce the risk of lethality for victims of intimate partner domestic violence by increasing law enforcement compliance with Utah’s Intimate Partner Violence Lethality Assessment Protocol.
Increase Utahns’ agreement with the following statements: [Metric Dashboard]
1. Domestic violence is a problem in my community.
2. When considering domestic violence, emotional abuse is just as serious as physical abuse.
3. I know where to find domestic violence resources and support in my community.
4. I know how to take concrete steps to help address domestic violence in my community.

Spoke Advisors

Jennifer Campbell (Executive Director, Utah Domestic Violence Coalition)
Leah Moses (Certified Nurse Midwife & Community Advocate)
Brooke Muir (Executive Director, Fight Against Domestic Violence)
Sierra Holmes (Programs Director, Fight Against Domestic Violence)

Religion & Domestic Violence Subspoke
Candice Smith (Pediatrician & Community Advocate)
Jessica Woodbury (Certified Social Worker & Community Advocate)

What You Can Do

Participate in domestic violence awareness events throughout the year, and especially in October for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Learn more about domestic violence by reading and reviewing this resource kit. Share this information with others and encourage them to do the same.

Discover where you can find domestic violence resources and support in your community and share this information with others.

Community Partners

UDVC brings together domestic violence service providers, allied organizations, policymakers, and community partners to advocate, educate, connect, and collaborate. Their 24-hour LINKLine offers trauma-informed support and connections to resources.

FADV works to “bridge the gaps” that exist for survivors and service providers across the state. They provide emergency financial assistance to victims who are in the process of leaving a violent relationship and help service providers address financial barriers.

A collective of Utahns dedicated to building awareness around domestic violence via a platform where survivors, family members, service providers, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and individuals can share their connections to domestic violence.

CAPSA is a nonprofit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center serving Cache County and the Bear Lake area. They provide safe, caring, and confidential shelter, advocacy, and support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

UCASA is Utah's primary rape crisis coalition, providing training and technical assistance to rape crisis centers and ensuring the implementation of best practices in programming and administration. They advocate for both rape crisis centers and the survivors they support.

YWCA Utah offers family violence services that empower survivors to rebuild their lives. They have a 24-hour crisis line for those in need of safety and family violence services. The crisis line is available to women, men, and children.

The UT Department of Public Safety Victim Services aims to help minimize the traumatic impact of crime. They provide timely support, gentle guidance, helpful resources and vital information that will promote healing and progress for crime victims, witnesses, and their families.

The Utah Office for Victims of Crime (UOVC) provides financial compensation for victims of crime, administers and monitors Victim of Crime Act Compensation and Assistance grants and Violence Against Women grants, networks victim services across the state, and provides enhanced training.

The Refuge Utah provides a safe, caring, and therapeutic environment to assist in the recovery of survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and stalking. Their goal is to facilitate healing, advocate for victims, and decrease violence in the community.

Coalition that provides support, education and training to tribal organizations and service providers working with Native Americans in Utah. Also operates Utah’s only tribal domestic violence and sexual assault helpline, which provides referrals for counseling, aid, shelter, and other services to Indigenous victims.

FAFV is a community based nonprofit domestic and sexual violence program. They provide advocacy, shelter, rehousing, crisis intervention, education, and prevention in the Tri-County of Uintah, Duchesne, and Daggett.

SVS provides counseling, case management, prevention, and shelter to help individuals and families build lives free from domestic and sexual violence. They offer services for survivors throughout Salt Lake, Tooele, Carbon and Emery County, as well as a 24-hour helpline with translation services.

A community based non-profit advocacy organization that serves Beaver, Iron and Garfield counties. CCS provides free, confidential and comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and also engages in community education and prevention programming.

New Hope Crisis Center serves Box Elder County and provides trauma‑informed services and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other crimes. Services includefree advocacy, legal assistance, counseling, and a 24/7 crisis hotline.

Peace House offers survivor-focused, comprehensive services including clinical therapy, safe housing, sexual assault services, children’s services, and prevention education for individuals and families in Park City and the broader community.

Seekhaven provides free and trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Serving Grand, San Juan and Emery Counties, they provide advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, financial aid, and transition assistance.

DOVE Center is a Washington County agency providing safe-shelter, crisis intervention, and prevention for clients who have been victimized by violence in their home. They also serve victims of rape, sexual assault, sex trafficking and stalking, and are available 24-hours a day.

Safe Harbor is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, supportive services, and advocacy to survivors in Davis County. This includes 24/7 crisis support, residential services, education, awareness, and resources to the community.

Located in Ogden, YCC supports individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence through safety, advocacy, and resources on their journey to safe and healthy lives. They offer a rape crisis line as well as a Strnghearts Native helpline.

Serving people in Sevier, Piute, Millard, Sanpete and Wayne counties of Utah, New Horizons Crisis Center advocates for victims of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. They offer crisis counseling, classes, and support groups for past and current victims.