Under Arizona law, domestic violence is defined as abusive behavior or violence that occurs between individuals who are in a specific relationship. This relationship can include spouses or former spouses, individuals who live together or have lived together, individuals who have a child together, family members by blood or marriage, and individuals in romantic or intimate relationships.
Common forms of domestic violence encompass various types of abusive behavior, which can include:
Physical Abuse: This involves causing physical harm or injury to the victim through actions such as hitting, punching, kicking, or any form of physical force.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse and may involve tactics such as manipulation, intimidation, threats, humiliation, or controlling behavior aimed at exerting power over the victim.
Verbal Abuse: Verbal abuse includes yelling, name-calling, insults, or any language intended to degrade or belittle the victim.
Sexual Abuse: This refers to any unwanted sexual activity or coercion imposed on the victim without their consent within the context of a domestic relationship.
Financial Abuse: Financial abuse involves controlling or exploiting the victim's financial resources, withholding money, or preventing the victim from accessing financial resources.