Types of Abuse

• Controlling how money is spent
• Withholding money or “giving a nominal allowance”
• Withholding basic living resources, medication or food
• Not allowing a partner to work or earn money 
• Stealing a partner’s identity, money, credit or property
• Refuses to include the victim’s name on important documents, such as bank accounts, car titles, mortgage loans, etc.

Does your partner:

1. Steal money from you or your family? Force you to give access to your money or financial accounts?
2. Make you feel as though you don’t have a right to know any details about money? About household decisions?
3. Make financial or investment decisions that affect you or your family without consulting or reaching agreement with you?
4. Refuse to include you in important meetings with banks, financial planners or retirement specialists?
5. Forbid you to work? Or to attend school or training sessions?
6. Overuse your credit cards? Refuse to pay the bills?
7. Force you to file false tax claims or other legal/ financial documents?
8. Prevent you from obtaining or using credit cards or bank cards?
9. Withhold physical resources from you?
   This could include food, clothes, medications, or shelter.
10. Force you to work in a family business for little or no pay?
11. Refuse to work to help support the family?
12. Interfere with your performance at work? This could include frequent telephone calls, emails, or visits to your workplace.
13. Force you to turn over your benefit or public assistance payments? Threaten to falsely report you for “cheating” on your benefits so they will be cut off
14. Force you to cash in, sell or sign over any financial assets or inheritance you own? This could include bonds, stock, or property.
15. Force you to agree to a power of attorney? This would enable your partner to legally sign documents without your knowledge or consent.

Did you answer yes to one or more of these questions? If so, you may be in a financially abusive relationship. This can be very difficult to deal with, but there is help available. You are not alone. Please reach out to a domestic violence service provider, they have resources to help empower you to regain control over your finances. Please also refer to our ALLSTATE page to learn more.

Utah has various sexual violence service providers who serve teens and adults as well as children’s justice centers who provide services to those under the age of 17. For support with intimate partner related sexual violence please refer to our local resources page to contact any of the domestic violence service providers. For support with non-intimate partner related sexual violence support please refer to the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault Survivor Community Resources page. 

In Utah, sexual violence is a serious public health problem. Studies suggest that one in six women and one in 25 men will experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime1 and nearly one in three women will experiense some form of sexual violence during their lifetime2,3. Rape is the only violent crime in Utah that is higher than the national average. It is estimated that between 40 and 45 percent of women in abusive relationships will also be sexually assaulted during the course of the relationship4. Even in an intimate relationship, no one has the right to force you to do anything you do not want to do and you still have the right to say no.

If you are in the greater Salt Lake Area you can contact the Rape Recovery Center via their 24 hour crisis line at 801-467-7273 or the linea de apoyo de violencia sexual las 24-houras de utah 801-924-0860. The Rape Recovery Center is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and works to empower those victimized by sexual violence through advocacy, crisis intervention, and therapy and to educate the community about the cause, impact, and prevention of sexual violence.

Our sister coalition the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault offers robust support for organizations providing services to survivors of sexual violence. Please explore their website for more information around best practices in serving survivors of sexual violence.

Additionally, there are various resources to support domestic violence programs and other community partners in developing their effective response to sexual violence. For more in-depth information and resources please refer to the statewide and national resources below.

Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA)

Utah Coalition Against Sexual assault seeks to find ways to increase the empowerment of survivors. UCASA provides outreach and community education efforts and strives to include as many people in their work as possible by building a community of support. 

Phone: Business: (801) 746-0404 / 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-888-421-1100

Website: https://www.ucasa.org/ 

Rape Recovery Center

The Rape Recovery Center works to empower those victimized by sexual violence through advocacy, crisis intervention, and therapy and to educate the community about the cause, impact, and prevention of sexual violence.

Phone: Business: 801-467-7282 / 24-hour Crisis Line: 801-467-7273 / Linea de apoyo de violencia sexual las 24-horas de Utah: 801-924-0860

Website: https://www.raperecoverycenter.org/

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Inscest National Network)

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline as well as programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are bought to justice.

Phone: 24/7 Hotline: 800-656-4673

Website: https://www.rainn.org/

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)

The NCADV mobilizes and raises voices to support efforts that demand a change of conditions that lead to domestic violence such as patriarchy, privilege, racism, sexism, and classism. NCADV is dedicated to supporting survivors, holding offenders accountable, and supporting advocates. 

Phone: 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Website: https://ncadv.org/

• Check which devices, apps, and social media platforms are sharing location with others; if possible, turn off sharing.
• Make a list of “joint” accounts or logins that you share with others. (Movie/music streaming, bank accounts, etc.) If possible, ask these people if it’s okay to stop sharing and change the passwords/security questions to these accounts
• Utilize private window options when visiting certain sites—especially those sites that detail safety planning, support, and shelter information. Clear your cookie cache and browser history regularly.
• When on domestic violence prevention sites, click on the ‘Escape’ link any time you feel at risk
• Try borrowing or using a different device. Use a computer or device that the abuser cannot access—directly or remotely. This may be a computer in a public library, or a phone/tablet  borrowed from someone you trust.
• Tell mutual friends/loved ones not to “pass on” info about whereabouts. Provide them a scripted answer they can provide

If you believe someone is logging into your accounts and using them without your consent, or is contacting you pretending to be someone they’re not:

• Double-check the “Tracking” checklist first in case information is simply being shared unintentionally
• Turn off auto-login for your various apps, browsers, and devices
• Double-check or change the devices used for two-factor authentication
• Change passwords/security Qs, or open secondary accounts
• Run privacy checks, check account histories, report issues
• If you see activity that you don’t recognize, Document/collect evidence (create multiple copies)
• Verify changes to appointments by contacting original numbers
• Hover over links to verify the address isn’t suspicious before clicking on them
• Go to established websites or fact-checking sites to verify

• Minimize online contact, block messages/calls if possible
• Document/collect evidence (create multiple copies)
• Report
• Install antivirus software, buy/borrow new device(s), report fraud

The Tech Safety App is a resource that:

• Helps you understand how different technologies can be misused to harass or stalk
• Shares solutions for what you can do to protect yourself
• Offers tips on how to increase your safety and privacy
• Includes a wide range of legal, support, and safety resources

This app is built by the National Network to End Domestic Violence Safety Net Project, which has worked for over 15 years to address the intersection of technology abuse and violence against women. The Safety Net Project has provided expert advice, training, and consultation on this issue to thousands of survivors of abuse, as well as victim service providers and technology companies.

The following resources from TechSafety.org include information, safety tips, and privacy strategies for survivors of abuse.

Learn more and download the app here.

It is important to note that Domestic violence advocates must maintain confidentiality with a few exceptions – reporting child abuse being one of those exceptions.. 

Utah law requires any person who has reason to believe that a child (under the age of 18) has been subjected to abuse, neglect, or dependency to immediately notify the nearest office of Child and Family Services, a peace officer, or a law enforcement agency. Abuse, neglect, or dependency of a child can be physical, emotional, or sexual.

According to Utah law:

Mandatory child abuse & neglect reporting (Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-403)

• DVSPs are required to report as they fall under a residential institution
• Does DV in the presence of a child count? Yes, it needs to be reported (76-5-109.1)
• Tip: Be transparent with the participants of your programs. Allow the option for the survivor to make the report themselves or to sit with you while you make the report.

Mandatory vulnerable adult reporting (Utah Code Ann. § 62A-3-305)

• DVSPs are required to report as a residential institution

Therapist duty to warn of specific threat (Utah Code Ann. § 78B-3-502)

• Mental health professional are required to report if the patient is dangerous to others