First, call police whenever there is an incident of violence, report it and follow through with the prosecution. Second, consider getting an Order of Protection against Violence, which orders your spouse to stay away from you, your workplace and/or the house. You can also ask for the order to include no direct contact with you either by phone, text messaging, or e-mail if those things are part of a pattern of harassment between you. Third, if the violence or harassment does not stop, contact a local domestic violence advocate (with the shelter, police or prosecutor’s office) and get help making a safety plan. The safety plan will be the things you do if you ever feel in danger again.   You do not need to file for divorce first in order to get an Order of Protection. All that is required is that you have a domestic relationship and you have a reasonable cause to fear that you are in danger. If you want an Order of Protection, most of the courthouses in Arizona have the paperwork that you’ll have to file, and many also have a Domestic Violence centers with advocates who will help you fill out and file the paperwork so that you can get an order immediately. These orders are granted immediately when there is danger, and you do not have to serve the violent person with notice of the hearing before the order is granted.