Adolescents (ages 13–19) can experience abusive behaviors in dating or romantic relationships, which may look different from adult IPV due to age, social dynamics, or lack of relationship experience. Examples could include: Physical harm (hitting, slapping) Emotional manipulation or jealousy Digital abuse (monitoring, controlling social media) Sexual coercion or assault Why it matters: Roughly 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of dating abuse. Early education on healthy relationships is critical for prevention. Teens may not recognize unhealthy behaviors as abusive. Education around healthy relationships and positive bystander actions is key to prevention. Resources: Love is respect

Child abuse involves physical, emotional, sexual harm, or neglect by a caregiver or someone in a position of power over a child under 18. Types of child abuse: Physical abuse: Hitting, shaking, burning Emotional abuse: Shaming, rejection, verbal assaults Sexual abuse: Any sexual activity with a child Neglect: Failing to provide basic needs (food, shelter, supervision) Why it matters: No one has the right to harm or neglect a child. Children deserve to grow up in safe, supportive environments where they can thrive. When abuse or neglect happens, it can have lasting effects on a child’s physical health, emotional well-being, and ability to trust others. Exposure to abuse increases the risk of mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It can also lead to chronic health issues and difficulties in school, work, and relationships later in life. Early intervention and caring support systems can make a significant difference in healing and resilience—but the harm caused by abuse is serious and never justified. Mandatory Reporting in Utah: Utah law requires any person who suspects that a child has been abused or neglected to report it immediately. Reports can be made to Child and Family Services (DCFS), a peace officer, or local law enforcement. Abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual, and includes witnessing domestic violence (DV in the presence of a child). Mandatory Reporting for service providers: Domestic violence service providers (DVSPs) in Utah are considered mandatory reporters under state law. Providers must inform participants about these obligations and can offer to support the survivor in making the report, or sit with them while the report is made. Relevant Utah Codes: Child abuse & neglect reporting: Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-403 DV in the presence of a child: Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109.1

Family violence happens between family members who aren’t romantic partners. Examples could include: Violence between siblings, parents and adult children, cousins, or extended family Could include: Emotional abuse, financial exploitation, or physical harm Why it matters: These relationships are often overlooked but can involve the same patterns as seen in other forms of abuse.

Violence Against People with Disabilities

People who are differently abled experience higher rates of abuse, often from caregivers, family members, or partners. Forms could include: Withholding assistive devices (wheelchairs, communication tools) Denying medical care or medication Physical or sexual abuse Financial exploitation or control Why it matters: Differently abled individuals are abused at significantly higher rates than those without disabilities due to a range of factors: Social isolation: Some individuals could have fewer social connections which can reduce visibility and result in the oversight of violence. Communication barriers: Difficulty reporting or being believed, especially for those with intellectual, speech, or sensory disabilities. Ableism and stigma: Harmful beliefs that devalue differently abled individuals can lead to neglect or mistreatment, being overlooked or minimized Lack of accessible services: Shelter, LE, and healthcare systems often aren’t equipped to meet their needs, limiting access to help. Power imbalances: Those who are causing harm often control access to basic needs. Dependency on others for care or support can increase vulnerability and limit options for escape or reporting abuse. This combination of social invisibility, systemic inaccessibility, and power imbalances makes differently abled individuals more vulnerable to abuse. It’s crucial to use person-first language when referring to someone with a disability, rather than identifying them by their disability. For example, say “a person with autism” rather than an “autistic person”. This approach affirms their humanity and recognizes them as a whole person, not defined solely by their disability. Mandatory Reporting for People with Disabilities (Utah): Utah law requires certain professionals (including those in residential facilities like DV shelters) to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, including people with disabilities. Reports should be made to Adult Protective Services (APS) or law enforcement. Relevant Utah Code:Vulnerable adult abuse reporting: Utah Code Ann. § 62A-3-305

relationship violence

24-Hour LINKLine

Call or text: 1-800-897-LINK (5465)

Types of Relationship Violence

Domestic violence (DV) is an umbrella term that includes many forms of abuse within relationships. While often associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), relationship violence can occur across different types of relationships—between partners, family members, caregivers, and more.

Understanding the different types helps ensure everyone impacted by violence receives support.

Adolescents (ages 13–19) can experience abusive behaviors in dating or romantic relationships, which may look different from adult IPV due to age, social dynamics, or lack of relationship experience.

Examples could include:

Physical harm (hitting, slapping)
Emotional manipulation or jealousy
Digital abuse (monitoring, controlling social media)
Sexual coercion or assault

Why it matters:
Roughly 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of dating abuse. Early education on healthy relationships is critical for prevention. Teens may not recognize unhealthy behaviors as abusive. Education around healthy relationships and positive bystander actions is key to prevention.

Resources: Love is respect

Child abuse involves physical, emotional, sexual harm, or neglect by a caregiver or someone in a position of power over a child under 18.

Types of child abuse:

Physical abuse: Hitting, shaking, burning
Emotional abuse: Shaming, rejection, verbal assaults
Sexual abuse: Any sexual activity with a child
Neglect: Failing to provide basic needs (food, shelter, supervision)

Why it matters:

No one has the right to harm or neglect a child.

Children deserve to grow up in safe, supportive environments where they can thrive. When abuse or neglect happens, it can have lasting effects on a child’s physical health, emotional well-being, and ability to trust others.

Exposure to abuse increases the risk of mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
It can also lead to chronic health issues and difficulties in school, work, and relationships later in life.
Early intervention and caring support systems can make a significant difference in healing and resilience—but the harm caused by abuse is serious and never justified.

Mandatory Reporting in Utah:

Utah law requires any person who suspects that a child has been abused or neglected to report it immediately.
Reports can be made to Child and Family Services (DCFS), a peace officer, or local law enforcement.
Abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual, and includes witnessing domestic violence (DV in the presence of a child).

Mandatory Reporting for service providers:

Domestic violence service providers (DVSPs) in Utah are considered mandatory reporters under state law.
Providers must inform participants about these obligations and can offer to support the survivor in making the report, or sit with them while the report is made.

Relevant Utah Codes:

Child abuse & neglect reporting: Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-403
DV in the presence of a child: Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-109.1

IPV refers to abuse between current or former romantic partners, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Includes (but not limited to):

Physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and digital abuse
Coercive control (isolating, monitoring, controlling behaviors)

Why it matters:
IPV is one of the most recognized forms of domestic violence but remains underreported due to stigma, fear, or lack of resources.

See “What is Abuse” page for more in depth information

Family violence happens between family members who aren’t romantic partners.

Examples could include:

Violence between siblings, parents and adult children, cousins, or extended family
Could include: Emotional abuse, financial exploitation, or physical harm

Why it matters:
These relationships are often overlooked but can involve the same patterns as seen in other forms of abuse.

Elder abuse targets older adults (typically age 60+), often by caregivers or family members.

Forms could include:

Physical or emotional harm
Neglect (failure to meet medical or basic needs)
Financial exploitation (stealing money, coercing legal decisions)
Isolation or abandonment

Why it matters:
Older adults may be physically vulnerable, socially isolated, or dependent on others for care, making it harder to seek help or report abuse. This dependence can be exploited by those in positions of trust, increasing the risk of ongoing harm.

Mandatory Reporting for Elder Abuse (Utah):

Utah law (62A-3-305) mandates any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited must immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement office.

Relevant Utah Code:Elder abuse reporting: Utah Code Ann. § 62A-3-305

People who are differently abled experience higher rates of abuse, often from caregivers, family members, or partners.

Forms could include:

Withholding assistive devices (wheelchairs, communication tools)
Denying medical care or medication
Physical or sexual abuse
Financial exploitation or control

Why it matters:
Differently abled individuals are abused at significantly higher rates than those without disabilities due to a range of factors:

Social isolation: Some individuals could have fewer social connections which can reduce visibility and result in the oversight of violence.
Communication barriers: Difficulty reporting or being believed, especially for those with intellectual, speech, or sensory disabilities.
Ableism and stigma: Harmful beliefs that devalue differently abled individuals can lead to neglect or mistreatment, being overlooked or minimized
Lack of accessible services: Shelter, LE, and healthcare systems often aren’t equipped to meet their needs, limiting access to help.
Power imbalances: Those who are causing harm often control access to basic needs. Dependency on others for care or support can increase vulnerability and limit options for escape or reporting abuse.

This combination of social invisibility, systemic inaccessibility, and power imbalances makes differently abled individuals more vulnerable to abuse. It’s crucial to use person-first language when referring to someone with a disability, rather than identifying them by their disability. For example, say “a person with autism” rather than an “autistic person”. This approach affirms their humanity and recognizes them as a whole person, not defined solely by their disability.

Mandatory Reporting for People with Disabilities (Utah):

Utah law requires certain professionals (including those in residential facilities like DV shelters) to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, including people with disabilities.
Reports should be made to Adult Protective Services (APS) or law enforcement.

Relevant Utah Code:Vulnerable adult abuse reporting: Utah Code Ann. § 62A-3-305

Contact Us

For business inquiries:
Office: 801-521-5544
Fax: 801-521-5548
Email: admin@udvc.org

Language Translator

Get Help

If you or someone else is in danger, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Call our free and confidential 24-hour LINKLine: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). (If LINKLine advocates are experiencing an increased call volume, calls will be forwarded to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.)

Stay in the Loop

*Please be aware that by state law all UDVC staff are mandated reporters. Click HERE to learn more about mandatory reporting. To report child abuse or neglect, click HERE. To report vulnerable adult abuse/neglect, click HERE.