Education

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence isn’t just physical hitting — it’s any time someone uses power or control to hurt, scare, or control another person in their home or family. It can happen to anyone and it is never the victim’s fault.

How it can affect your life

  • You could face criminal charges even as a victim
  • It can affect who gets custody of children
  • It may impact your ability to own a firearm
  • Child services (DCFS) may get involved
  • It can make it hard to keep or find housing
  • It can affect your job or professional license
  • For some people, it can affect immigration status
  • It affects your physical and emotional health

Warning signs to watch for

  • You feel scared to disagree with your partner
  • They threaten to hurt themselves or you
  • They check your phone, location, or social media constantly
  • They try to keep you away from friends and family
  • They control all the money and what you can spend
  • They break things or block you from leaving
  • They threaten to take your kids or report you to immigration
  • Fights are getting worse and more frequent

Why it’s hard to leave

  • Fear that leaving will make things more dangerous
  • Worry about losing the kids or having nowhere to go
  • Not having your own money or income
  • Feeling ashamed or like no one will believe you
  • Loving the person even though they hurt you
  • Pressure from family, church, or community
  • Not knowing what help is available
  • Hoping it will get better on its own
Awareness

Types of Abuse & Violence

Abuse comes in a lot of different forms — not just physical. If any of these feel familiar, it’s okay to reach out for help.

Intimate Partner Violence
Abuse between people who are or were in a romantic relationship — this includes physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and digital abuse, regardless of gender.
Emotional & Controlling Behavior
Threatening, humiliating, isolating, or controlling someone so they feel afraid or dependent. This is abuse even when there’s no physical contact.
Child Abuse & Neglect
Physically hurting a child, emotionally tearing them down, sexually abusing them, or failing to take care of their basic needs. Seeing domestic violence at home also counts as abuse.
Teen Dating Violence
Abuse in teen relationships (ages 13–19), including hitting, extreme jealousy, monitoring someone’s phone or social media, and pressuring someone into sexual activity.
Elder Abuse
Hurting, neglecting, or taking advantage of older adults (usually 60+), often by a caregiver or family member. This includes stealing money or making decisions for them against their will.
Abuse of People with Disabilities
People with disabilities face higher rates of abuse. This can include taking away mobility aids, denying medication, or using their needs as a way to control them.
Family Violence (Non-Partner)
Abuse between family members who aren’t in a romantic relationship — like between siblings, parents and adult children, or other relatives. The same harmful power dynamics can still happen.
Financial Abuse
Controlling someone’s money, stopping them from working, stealing from them, or putting them in debt. This makes it really hard for someone to leave because they can’t support themselves.
Framework

What Kind of Help Do I Need?

Everyone’s situation is different. These four stages can help you figure out where you’re at and what kind of support makes sense right now.

Stage 1
Prevention & Early Help
Something feels off — maybe your relationship is getting scary or controlling — but there’s no immediate danger and no legal involvement yet. This is a good time to learn, plan, and get support before things get worse.
Safety planning Education Therapy Support groups Tech privacy check
Stage 2
Crisis & Immediate Safety
There is danger right now — someone has been hurt, threatened, stalked, or a child has been put at risk. Your safety is the most important thing. Call 911 or the LINKLine immediately.
Call 911 LINKLine Protective order Emergency shelter Victim advocate
Stage 3
Legal System & Accountability
Police, courts, DCFS, or a protective order are already involved. The focus now is staying safe, following through with legal steps, and getting the right support while the process plays out.
Court hearings Criminal charges DCFS safety plan Trauma therapy Offender programs
Stage 4
Healing & Moving Forward
The immediate danger has passed. Now it’s about rebuilding — your confidence, your finances, your housing, and your sense of who you are. This takes time, and support is still available.
Trauma therapy Financial rebuild Co-parenting help Peer support Career support
Utah Resources

Get Help in Utah

Click any category to see real resources you can contact today — free, confidential, and ready to help.

  • Utah Domestic Violence LINKLine
    Free, anonymous, 24/7 Utah hotline — they can help you make a safety plan, find shelter, and connect you with local support. No judgment, completely confidential.
    1-800-897-5465 udvc.org
  • The Refuge — Utah County
    Located in Orem — offers shelter, counseling, legal help, and support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Utah County.
    801-377-5500 therefugeutah.org
  • YWCA Utah — Salt Lake City
    Emergency shelter, transitional housing, a crisis hotline, counseling, childcare support, and services for human trafficking survivors.
    801-537-8600 ywcautah.org
  • Salt Lake Family Justice Center
    Walk-in services Monday–Friday — confidential help with safety planning, legal questions, and connecting you to the right resources. No appointment needed.
    801-236-3370
  • Utah Sexual Assault Crisis Line
    Free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone who has experienced sexual assault anywhere in Utah.
    1-888-421-1100
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    Call or text 988 any time if you’re in a mental health crisis or having thoughts of hurting yourself. Free and confidential.
    988 988lifeline.org
  • DCFS — Report Child Abuse or Neglect
    If you think a child is being hurt or not being taken care of, call this number right away. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.
    1-855-323-3237
  • Adult Protective Services (APS)
    If you believe an older adult or a person with a disability is being abused, neglected, or taken advantage of — report it here.
    1-800-371-7897
  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
    National resource with trained counselors available 24/7 for children and adults worried about a child’s safety.
    1-800-422-4453 childhelphotline.org
  • Love is Respect — Teen Dating Violence
    A resource specifically for teens. If something feels wrong in your relationship, you can chat, call, or text — no judgment, totally private.
    loveisrespect.org

Victim advocates are people who work for your city or county and help you figure out the legal system — things like going to court, getting a protective order, and staying safe. These services are free.

  • Orem City Victim Assistance
    Orem, Utah
  • Payson City Victim Advocate
    Payson, Utah
  • Provo City Victim Services
    Provo, Utah
  • Lehi City Victim Assistance
    Lehi, Utah
  • American Fork Victim Advocate
    American Fork, Utah
  • Pleasant Grove Victim Advocate
    Pleasant Grove, Utah
  • Utah Office for Victims of Crime
    Statewide help including Crime Victims Reparations — financial help for crime victims
    crimevictim.utah.gov
  • Utah Legal Services
    Free or low-cost legal help for people who qualify — including help with protective orders and family law cases.
    utahlegalservices.org
  • Utah Courts — Protective Orders
    Fill out forms to get a protective order online or download them to print. Free to file — you don’t need a lawyer.
    utcourts.gov
  • Community Action Services — Provo
    Help with housing, bills, and emergency assistance for people in need.
    communityactionprovo.org
  • Savvy Ladies
    Free financial education and a helpline — especially helpful if you’re rebuilding financially after leaving an abusive relationship.
    savvyladies.org
  • HUD Utah — Housing Help
    Federal housing resources including rental help and emergency housing assistance.
    hud.gov/states/utah
  • Safety Net / Tech Safety
    Step-by-step guides on how to protect your phone, accounts, and location from someone who is monitoring you.
    techsafety.org
  • SPARC Stalking Resource Center
    Resources for people who are being stalked — what to do, how to document it, and how to get help.
    stalkingawareness.org
  • Safety Apps for Survivors
    A list of apps — including discreet panic button apps — that can help you stay safer and document abuse.
    domesticshelters.org
Quick tip: If you think someone is tracking your phone or watching your accounts, try to use a library computer or a friend’s phone to look up resources. The LINKLine can connect you with someone trained in technology safety.
  • The Refuge Support Groups — Orem
    Free support groups for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Utah County. You don’t have to share anything you’re not ready to share.
    therefugeutah.org
  • Codependents Anonymous (CoDA)
    South Utah Valley group — Springville Public Library, Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. Helpful for people who have been in controlling or unhealthy relationships.
    coda.org
  • Utah Valley Alano Club — Provo
    Recovery community with peer support programs including 12-step meetings.
    utahvalleyalanoclub.org
  • United Way 2-1-1
    Dial 2-1-1 from any phone to find local services — food, housing, health care, support groups, and more. Free and available statewide.
    2-1-1 211utah.org
National

National Resources

These resources are available no matter where in the US you are.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    Free, 24/7, confidential support for all survivors — call, text, or chat online.
    1-800-799-SAFEthehotline.org
  • RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline
    Free, 24/7 confidential support for survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones.
    1-800-656-HOPErainn.org
  • StrongHearts Native Helpline
    Free, safe, and confidential support specifically for American Indians and Alaska Natives — 24/7.
    1-844-762-8483strongheartshelpline.org
  • VictimConnect Resource Center
    Information and referrals for all crime victims — you can call or text.
    1-855-484-2846
  • National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
    Advocacy, education, and policy work to end domestic violence nationwide.
    ncadv.org
  • Futures Without Violence
    Research, training, and policy focused on ending violence against women, children, and families.
    futureswithoutviolence.org
Military Families

Resources for Military Families

Family Advocacy Program

Support for Service Members & Their Families

The Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is the military’s program for preventing and responding to domestic abuse and child abuse. FAP is available on most military installations and offers assessments, counseling, safety planning, and connections to other services.

FAP victim advocates can explain your reporting options and help you make a plan to stay safe. They can also connect you to counseling, emergency services, and legal or financial help. Classes and parenting support programs are also available through FAP.

Note: With an unrestricted report through FAP, information may be shared with your chain of command and could affect a military career. A restricted report keeps things confidential while still giving you access to advocacy services. Ask your FAP advocate about your options.

Family Advocacy Program (FAP)
Find your installation’s FAP office using the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS locator
installations.militaryonesource.mil
Military OneSource
Free 24/7 counseling, referrals, financial coaching, and support for all military families
1-800-342-9647
Utah National Guard — Family Assistance & Readiness
Family support resources specifically for Utah National Guard members and their families
guard.utah.gov/family-assistance-and-readiness
DoD Child Abuse & Safety Hotline
Report suspected child abuse or neglect within any DoD activity
1-877-790-1197
Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans, service members, and their families in crisis — call or text 988 and press 1
988 (press 1)
Statewide

Find a Shelter Near You

Utah has shelters across the state. Shelters are free, confidential, and safe places to stay. Most can also help you with safety planning, counseling, and finding more permanent housing.

Salt Lake County
YWCA Utah
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, crisis hotline, counseling
Salt Lake County
South Valley Services
Shelter, emergency housing, advocacy, counseling, prevention
Salt Lake County
Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf
Specialized advocacy for Deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors
Utah County
The Refuge Utah
Shelter, advocacy, counseling, legal support, prevention
Davis County
Safe Harbor Crisis Center
Emergency shelter, counseling, victim advocacy, housing support
Weber County
YCC Family Crisis Center
Shelter, emergency services, therapy, advocacy
Cache County
CAPSA — Logan
Shelter, sexual assault and DV services, counseling, education
Summit & Wasatch
Peace House
Shelter, advocacy, legal help, therapy, transitional support
Washington & Kane
Dove Center
Shelter, counseling, crisis response, legal advocacy
Iron, Beaver, Garfield
Canyon Creek Services
Shelter, advocacy, prevention, crisis intervention
Carbon & Emery
Colleen Quigley Women’s Center
Shelter, advocacy, emergency support, counseling
Uintah, Duchesne, Daggett
Friends Against Family Violence
Shelter, advocacy, counseling, crisis response, legal support
Grand County
Seekhaven
Shelter, victim advocacy, counseling, emergency support
Tooele County
Pathways
Advocacy, shelter help, crisis intervention, victim services
Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier
New Horizons Crisis Center
Shelter, advocacy, counseling, emergency assistance
San Juan County
Gentle Iron Hawk
Advocacy and support for domestic violence survivors

To find out which shelter has space right now, call the LINKLine 24/7: 1-800-897-5465