The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) receives Federal funds from the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act for the prevention of domestic violence and domestic violence education. This funding also supports domestic violence coalitions in the provision of advocacy, planning, public awareness and education, administration and direct service.  

In Arizona these funds are used primarily to provide services to the rural areas of the state utilizing Rural Safe Home Networks and to support the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (AzCADV). Currently the Department funds six safe homes, Verde Valley Sanctuary Children Services, the Never Again Foundation, and AzCADV.

The Rural Safe Home Networks operate domestic violence hot lines, provide domestic violence victims and their children with temporary, emergency safe shelter, peer counseling, case management, and advocacy.

The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides domestic violence training throughout Arizona to domestic violence services providers, law enforcement, legal systems, medical communities, social service providers, and others as requested. ACADV also provides Information and Referral Services to domestic violence victims and others who request the information throughout the state.

Family Violence Prevention and Services funds are also used for legal advocacy services for victims, counseling services for children, and education and prevention targeting Indian communities.

Why is this program needed?

According to the Arizona Medical Association, conservative studies indicate that two million women are assaulted by their partners each year, but experts believe that the true incidence of partner violence is probably closer to four million per year.

• Thirty percent of American women report that they have been physically abused by their husband or boyfriend at one time or another.
• Americans continue to believe that the majority of fellow citizens would do nothing if the man next door were abusing his wife or girlfriend. Eighty-four percent report they would be concerned about their own safety if they tried to help in a specific situation of domestic violence.
• Thirty-eight percent of Americans agree "some wives provoke their husbands into physically abusing them.

Depending on the source of research, women are being beaten every 9 to 15 seconds in this country.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 women are murdered each year by their current or former partners (FBI).

One third of all teenagers report having experienced violence in a dating relationship.

As many as 2/3 of men who beat their wives also abuse their children (Stark and Fritcraft). 

Domestic Violence has devastating effects on families, and extends these effects throughout entire communities, to businesses, schools, and churches.

Domestic violence is often generational.

In the rural areas of Arizona , victims of domestic violence may not have ready access to services due to isolation and distances between available domestic violence safe homes or shelters.

What are the goals of this program?

• Provide temporary, emergency safe shelters for those persons experiencing domestic violence
• To end domestic violence in our families and communities through:
  - Prevention and Early Intervention 
  - Education
• Develop Zero Tolerance Policies for domestic violence throughout our communities
• Provide peer counseling, support, case management and advocacy to victims
• Give support to communities to develop standards for law enforcement, the courts and legal systems to ensure batterer accountability
• Provide networking opportunities for local social service providers, law enforcement, courts, medical providers, faith community, the private sector and others.

What has this program achieved?

Between October 2006 and September 2007 the Department's Rural Safe Home Network Program received $1,669,821 in Family Violence Prevention Funds.  Eight safe home contractors and six safe homes were funded during that fiscal year. 95% of the dollars were spent on shelter and related assistance.

342 women and 408 children were sheltered between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006.  The average length of stay for persons in shelter was 33.5 nights.  Only 20 persons were turned away because shelter was unavailable, and 123 persons were referred to other shelters due to lack of space.  1035 individual peer counseling hours and 695 group counseling hours were provided to persons in shelters. 

Violence Prevention and Education [PDF 424K]

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month [PDF 364K]

Need more information?        

For more information on the Rural Safehome Network Program:
JAnn Pope, M.Ed., C.P.C.
Domestic Violence Program Manager  
Rural Safehome Network Program
Phone: (602) 542-7341  
Fax: (602) 542-7351  
Email: popej@azdhs.gov 

For Training and technical assistance, and shelter information in your local area:  
Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence  
Phone: (602) 279-2900  
Fax: (602) 279-2980  
Email: acadv@azcadv.org  

For more information go to the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence at www.azcadv.org or to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence at www.ncadv.org.

2007 – 2008 Rural Safe Home Network Domestic Violence Service Programs, and Contacts:

Ama Doo Alchini Bighan, Inc. (928) 674-8314, Chinle
Contact: Ronnie Hunter

Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, (602) 279-2900, (State Wide Services)
Contact Becky Martin

Community Alliance Against Family Abuse, (480) 982-0205, Apache Junction
Contact: Leonard Rodriquez

Colorado River Regional Crisis Shelter, (928) 669-8620, Parker
Contact: Alicia Torres

Gila County Safe Home, (928) 402-8032, Globe
Contact: Mel Logue

Interagency Council of Lake Havasu, (928) 453-5800, Lake Havasu City
Contact: Rich Miers

Mt. Graham Safe House, (928) 348-9104, Safford
Contact: Jean Crinan

Never Again Foundation, (480) 539-9111, Chandler
Contact: Keith Perkins

Verde Valley Sanctuary, (928) 634-2511, Verde Valley
Contact: Jane W. Hausner

If you are in immediate danger call 911.