Domestic Violence

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Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resources & Assistance Organizations

For information on other services, please dial 2-1-1 or visit the United Way website.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission Advanced by City Leaders

Mayor Tim Keller with City Councilors Tammy Fiebelkorn, Renee Grout, Trudy Jones, and Klarissa Peña established the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission to address domestic violence and better support survivors.

• Review the press release
• Learn more about the DVSA

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior which establishes power and control over another person often through fear, manipulation, humiliation, isolation, intimidation, the threat of physical violence, and/or the use of physical violence.

Intimate Partner Domestic Violence Comes in Many Forms

Examples of abusive behavior include:

• Emotional Abuse
• Financial Abuse
• Psychological Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Abuse
• Technological Abuse
• Verbal Abuse

Domestic Violence is an Alarming Crime and Public Health Problem in our Country and Community

The impact of domestic violence is wide ranging, directly affecting individuals and society as a whole, here in this community, throughout the United States and the world, Racism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism and discrimination based on physical ability, nationality or other factors help to perpetuate domestic violence and make finding safety even more difficult for some victims.

• During the COVID-19 Pandemic, domestic violence incidents in Albuquerque increased by 8%, as well as an increase in incidents involving strangulation.
• As many as 20% of homicides in 2021 were domestic violence related, according to Albuquerque Police Department,
• According to a 2015 report by the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Program, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men in New Mexico are victims of domestic violence in their lifetime.
• According to the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women;
• According to a study by Futures without violence, physical abuse during childhood increases the risk of future victimization among women and the risk of future perpetration of abuse by men more than two-fold
• Only 1 out of 10 incidents of domestic violence is ever reported, according to S.A.F.E House,

You are not alone. 24/7 help is available. Find local resources below.

Reasons Why People Stay in Abusive Relationships

• They may not recognize that their partner’s behaviors are unhealthy or abusive.
• They may fear consequences if they decide to leave their relationship.
• They may feel that they’ve done something wrong, that they deserve the abuse.
• They may be financially dependent on their abusive partner.

Reasons Why People are Abusive to their Partners

• Abusive people believe their own feelings and needs should be the priority in the relationship.
• Abuse is a learned behavior – and it is also choice to abuse.
• Domestic violence stems from a desire to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
• Tactics of abuse may be aimed at dismantling equality in the relationship in order to make their partners feel less valuable and undeserving of respect.

Ways to Support a Friend Experiencing Domestic Violence

• Acknowledge that their situation is difficult, scary, and brave of them to regain control from
• Help them create a safety plan, or encourage them to contact a local or national hotline
• Do not post information about them on social media that could be used to identify them or where they spend time

In an Emergency, call 911

Call the police as soon as you can—assault, even by a family member is a crime. Get medical attention, ask the medical staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in the event legal action is necessary. Contact the court system about civil protective orders. Leave the scene immediately or as soon as possible.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resources & Assistance

If you are in immediate danger, leave or have someone you can trust stay with you and call a crisis hotline for assistance, location of a women's shelter, counseling, and crisis intervention.

View APD's S.A.F.E. at Work resources for victims of domestic violence