TUCSON, ARIZONA – A critical service for people experiencing domestic violence (DV), the After-Hours Crisis Response System (AHCRS) will give more support to the community thanks to a partnership between the Pima County Attorney’s Office (PCAO) Victim Services Division and Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse (Emerge).
Earlier this year, the PCAO Victim Services Division met with Emerge to develop a plan to assist PCAO with maintaining the vital service of triaging after-hours and weekend crisis calls. Emerge teams will also support volunteer victim advocates who are dispatched to 911 domestic violence calls to provide continued services as needed.
Through the AHCRS, law enforcement officers responding to DV calls in Pima County can request victim service advocates to provide on-scene support to survivors. The system, a central component of Pima County’s coordinated community response to DV that helps connect survivors to immediate support, was at risk of being eliminated without the infrastructure to sustain it. Pima County Attorney Laura Conover says the collaboration is another extension of the office working with key organizations for the well-being of the community.
“Our agreement with Emerge makes good sense. Not only do we want to be a strong partner in our community, but we also want to ensure that there’s no lapse in access to the crucial services needed for some of our most vulnerable residents. This will enable us to optimize our precious resources effectively to get the best possible outcomes for victims who have nowhere else to turn.” Conover said.
“The 24/7 nature of our work through our emergency shelter and crisis hotline allowed Emerge to quickly jump in and provide this essential service,” said Anna Harper, Emerge CEO. “Domestic abuse can be life-threatening, and our community cannot afford to let resources for survivors go away. We urge the community to do everything they can to support the work and vision of our much-needed services.”
DV is the number one generator of 911 calls for local law enforcement agencies, and PCAO and Emerge recognized the need to protect this essential service. Many of the after-hours’ calls involve high-risk DV situations identified through the Arizona Intimate Partner Risk Assessment Instrument System (APRAIS). During the 2025 fiscal year, Emerge alone served 2,128 APRAIS victims. In the first month of operating the After-Hours Crisis Response System, Emerge noted that more than half of the calls were APRAIS referrals. As part of the one-year pilot program, PCAO has provided $50,000 in special revenue to Emerge. Emerge will operate as PCAO’s victim services provider from 5pm to 8am Monday through Friday, 24 hours a day on weekends and on holidays. While volunteer victim advocates with PCAO respond to requests for on-scene support, Emerge staff will fill in telephonically when no volunteers are available.
Media Contact: Shawndrea Thomas
Director of Communications
Pima County Attorney’s Office
(520) 724-5738 (Office)
(520) 310-4720 (Mobile)
Shawndrea.Thomas@pcao.pima.gov
