By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona consistently has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the nation.
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Domestic violence cases rose from 3,695 between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15, 2025, to 4,132 during the same period in 2026, according to figures provided by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
By the numbers
Angela Rose, chief program officer at New Life Center, said Arizona has the fifth-highest rate of domestic violence in the nation.
“One in three women will experience domestic violence or intimate partner violence in their lifetime,” Rose said.
New Life Center is a domestic violence shelter that offers healing services and 110 beds to survivors escaping abuse in the Valley.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, nearly 37% of women experience some form of domestic violence in Arizona. The office also reported that every 44 minutes, one or more children in Arizona witness domestic violence.
What’s driving the increase?
Rose said she does not believe domestic violence itself is increasing.
“I don’t think that there’s more. I think that we know more about it,” Rose said. “I think as people, as community awareness has been raised, as people can identify and name what’s happening to them, they’re more likely to come forward. I still believe that it is underreported.”
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Rose said danger to victims can increase when they try to leave their abusers.
“Lethality and risk really goes up as an abuser or offender perpetrator of domestic violence feels like they’re losing more control,” Rose said.
Purple Thursday
October 15 is Purple Thursday, part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The color symbolizes peace, courage, solidarity and survival.
“We always want people to know, number one, it’s not your fault, number two, that people do believe you, and number three, that there are people out there to support you through that,” Rose said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, get help by calling the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 or texting BEGIN to 88788.
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