Abuse/Personal Safety

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.

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

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.

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.

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.