Vocabulary

Spanish for Domestic Violence Calls: Complete Field Guide for Police Officers (A2/B1)

By SpanishGram

◄ Back to Law Enforcement Spanish Hub | Domestic Violence Quiz ►

⏱️ Reading time: 10 minutes | 🧠 Quiz: 10 minutes

⚠️ Language Disclaimer: This guide provides Spanish translations of phrases that may be used in domestic violence situations. It is a language resource only, not a procedural or legal guide. Always follow your agency’s policies, state laws, and certified training for domestic violence response.

This guide covers Spanish for separating parties, interviewing victims and suspects, explaining protective orders, and offering resource referrals. Use these phrases as needed based on your department’s approved procedures.

Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous and emotionally charged situations law enforcement officers handle. Effective Spanish communication can separate parties, interview victims and suspects, identify the primary aggressor, and ensure victim safety. This guide covers separation commands, victim interview questions, suspect interview questions, protective orders, evidence documentation, and referral to resources. It is designed for American police officers who need precise, trauma-informed Spanish for domestic violence response.

🎯 In this guide, you will learn Spanish for:

  • Separating parties and establishing scene safety
  • Interviewing victims about injuries and fear
  • Interviewing suspects about the incident
  • Explaining protective orders and no-contact rules
  • Offering shelter and resource referrals
  • Documenting consent for photos and evidence

Scene Separation Phrases

Use these Spanish phrases to separate parties as directed by your training.

SpanishEnglish
Sepárense, por favor.Separate, please.
Usted vaya a la cocina.You go to the kitchen.
Usted vaya a la sala.You go to the living room.
Siéntese allí. No se levante.Sit there. Do not get up.
Necesito que se queden en habitaciones separadas.I need you to stay in separate rooms.
¿Hay armas en la casa?Are there weapons in the house?
¿Hay niños en la casa?Are there children in the house?
¿Dónde están los niños?Where are the children?

💡 Language Note: Use formal “usted” commands with both parties to maintain professionalism and authority.

Victim Interview Phrases

Use these Spanish phrases when speaking with a victim in a private location.

Establishing What Happened

SpanishEnglish
¿Qué pasó esta noche?What happened tonight?
¿Qué le hizo?What did he/she do to you?
¿Me puede decir exactamente lo que pasó?Can you tell me exactly what happened?
¿Cómo empezó la discusión?How did the argument start?

Asking About Physical Violence

SpanishEnglish
¿Le golpeó?Did he/she hit you?
¿Le empujó?Did he/she push you?
¿Le abofeteó?Did he/she slap you?
¿Le pateó?Did he/she kick you?
¿Le agarró del brazo o del cuello?Did he/she grab you by the arm or neck?
¿Le tiró del pelo?Did he/she pull your hair?
¿Le lanzó algún objeto?Did he/she throw any object at you?
¿Le amenazó con un arma?Did he/she threaten you with a weapon?

Asking About Injuries

SpanishEnglish
¿Dónde le duele?Where does it hurt?
¿Tiene moretones?Do you have bruises?
¿Tiene cortadas o sangrado?Do you have cuts or bleeding?
¿Necesita una ambulancia?Do you need an ambulance?
¿Puedo tomar fotos de sus lesiones?Can I take photos of your injuries?

Asking About History and Fear

SpanishEnglish
¿Le ha golpeado antes?Has he/she hit you before?
¿Con qué frecuencia pasa esto?How often does this happen?
¿Tiene miedo de volver a casa?Are you afraid to go home?
¿Cree que él/ella va a lastimarle de nuevo?Do you think he/she will hurt you again?
¿Tiene a dónde ir?Do you have somewhere to go?

💡 Language Note: Use past tense (“ha golpeado” – has hit) to ask about prior incidents. Use present tense (“tiene miedo” – are you afraid) for current fear.

Suspect Interview Phrases

Use these Spanish phrases when speaking with a suspect separately.

SpanishEnglish
¿Qué pasó esta noche?What happened tonight?
¿Por qué está tan enojado/enojada?Why are you so angry?
¿Golpeó a [nombre]?Did you hit [name]?
¿Tiene un arma?Do you have a weapon?
¿Está tomando algo?Are you taking anything? (alcohol or drugs)
¿Ha estado bebiendo?Have you been drinking?

⚠️ Language Note: Before questioning a suspect, you may need to read Miranda rights. See the Spanish Miranda Rights guide for those phrases.

Protective Order Phrases

Use these Spanish phrases to explain protective orders.

SpanishEnglish
Una orden de protección es un documento legal de la corte.A protective order is a legal document from the court.
Le prohíbe a [nombre] acercarse a usted.It prohibits [name] from coming near you.
Si él/ella viola la orden, llame al 911 inmediatamente.If he/she violates the order, call 911 immediately.
¿Quiere pedir una orden de protección?Do you want to request a protective order?
La corte puede darle una orden temporal hoy mismo.The court can give you a temporary order today.

No-Contact Order Phrases for Suspects

SpanishEnglish
No puede comunicarse con [nombre] de ninguna manera.You cannot communicate with [name] in any way.
No puede llamar, enviar mensajes, ni escribirle.You cannot call, text, or write to him/her.
No puede acercarse a su casa ni a su trabajo.You cannot go near his/her home or work.
¿Entiende estas reglas?Do you understand these rules?

Children and Witness Phrases

Use these Spanish phrases when children or other witnesses are present.

SpanishEnglish
¿Hay niños en la casa?Are there children in the house?
¿Los niños vieron lo que pasó?Did the children see what happened?
¿Hay alguien más que viera lo que pasó?Is there anyone else who saw what happened?
¿Puede darme el nombre y número de teléfono de algún testigo?Can you give me the name and phone number of any witness?

Evidence Documentation Phrases

Use these Spanish phrases to request consent for evidence collection.

SpanishEnglish
¿Puedo tomar fotos de la casa?Can I take photos of the house?
¿Puedo tomar fotos de sus lesiones?Can I take photos of your injuries?
¿Dónde están las cosas rotas?Where are the broken things?
¿Tiene mensajes de texto o grabaciones?Do you have text messages or recordings?
¿Puede mostrarme los mensajes?Can you show me the messages?

Resource Referral Phrases

Use these Spanish phrases to connect victims with help.

SpanishEnglish
Hay un refugio para víctimas de violencia doméstica.There is a shelter for domestic violence victims.
Es gratis y seguro.It is free and safe.
¿Quiere que llame al refugio por usted?Do you want me to call the shelter for you?
La línea de crisis está disponible 24 horas.The crisis hotline is available 24 hours.
El número es…The number is…
Pueden ayudarle con abogados, vivienda y consejería.They can help you with lawyers, housing, and counseling.
¿Tiene familia o amigos con quien pueda quedarse?Do you have family or friends you can stay with?

Practice Exercise: Translate to Spanish

Test your knowledge of the Spanish phrases. Answers are below.

  1. “Separate, please. You go to the kitchen. You go to the living room.”
  2. “Are there weapons in the house? Are there children in the house?”
  3. “What happened tonight? Can you tell me exactly what happened?”
  4. “Did he/she hit you? Did he/she push you? Did he/she slap you?”
  5. “Where does it hurt? Do you have bruises? Do you need an ambulance?”
  6. “Has he/she hit you before? Are you afraid to go home?”
  7. “Do you want me to help you find a shelter? There is a safe place for victims.”
  8. “A protective order prohibits him/her from coming near you. If he/she violates the order, call 911.”
  9. “You cannot communicate with her in any way. You cannot call, text, or write to her.”
  10. “Can I take photos of your injuries? Can I take photos of the house?”

Answers

#Answer
1Sepárense, por favor. Usted vaya a la cocina. Usted vaya a la sala.
2¿Hay armas en la casa? ¿Hay niños en la casa?
3¿Qué pasó esta noche? ¿Me puede decir exactamente lo que pasó?
4¿Le golpeó? ¿Le empujó? ¿Le abofeteó?
5¿Dónde le duele? ¿Tiene moretones? ¿Necesita una ambulancia?
6¿Le ha golpeado antes? ¿Tiene miedo de volver a casa?
7¿Quiere que le ayude a encontrar un refugio? Hay un lugar seguro para víctimas.
8Una orden de protección le prohíbe acercarse a usted. Si él viola la orden, llame al 911.
9No puede comunicarse con ella de ninguna manera. No puede llamar, enviar mensajes, ni escribirle.
10¿Puedo tomar fotos de sus lesiones? ¿Puedo tomar fotos de la casa?

Common Language Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrong✅ CorrectWhy
“Separen” (no object)“Sepárense”“Sepárense” includes the reflexive pronoun “se” meaning “yourselves.”
“¿Le pegó?” only“¿Le golpeó? ¿Le empujó? ¿Le abofeteó?”“Pegó” can mean “stuck.” Use specific verbs for different types of violence.
“No tenga miedo”“¿Tiene miedo de volver a casa?”Telling someone not to be afraid dismisses their feelings. Ask directly about fear.
Informal “tienes”Formal “tiene”Always use formal “usted” forms with victims and suspects in domestic violence situations.

Real Conversation Scripts (Spanish Language Examples)

Conversation 1: Victim Interview

Officer: ¿Qué pasó esta noche? ¿Me puede decir exactamente lo que pasó?

Victim: Él llegó borracho. Empezó a gritarme. Después me empujó contra la pared.

Officer: ¿Le golpeó? ¿Le abofeteó?

Victim: Me abofeteó dos veces. También me agarró del brazo.

Officer: ¿Dónde le duele? ¿Tiene moretones?

Victim: Me duele el brazo. Y tengo un moretón aquí.

Officer: ¿Puedo tomar fotos de sus lesiones?

Victim: Sí.

Officer: ¿Le ha golpeado antes? ¿Tiene miedo de volver a casa?

Victim: Sí. Varias veces. Mucho miedo.

Officer: ¿Quiere que le ayude a encontrar un refugio? Hay un lugar seguro para víctimas.

Victim: Sí, por favor.

Translation of Spanish only (not procedure):

Officer: What happened tonight? Can you tell me exactly what happened?

Victim: He came home drunk. He started yelling at me. Then he pushed me against the wall.

Officer: Did he hit you? Did he slap you?

Victim: He slapped me twice. He also grabbed my arm.

Officer: Where does it hurt? Do you have bruises?

Victim: My arm hurts. And I have a bruise here.

Officer: Can I take photos of your injuries?

Victim: Yes.

Officer: Has he hit you before? Are you afraid to go home?

Victim: Yes. Several times. Very afraid.

Officer: Do you want me to help you find a shelter? There is a safe place for victims.

Victim: Yes, please.

Conversation 2: Explaining Protective Order

Officer: Una orden de protección es un documento legal de la corte. Le prohíbe a él acercarse a usted.

Victim: ¿Eso significa que no puede venir a la casa?

Officer: Sí. No puede acercarse a su casa ni a su trabajo. Si él viola la orden, llame al 911 inmediatamente.

Victim: ¿Y si necesita recoger sus cosas?

Officer: La policía puede acompañarle. No necesita hablar con él. ¿Entiende?

Victim: Sí. Entiendo.

Officer: ¿Quiere pedir una orden de protección? La corte puede darle una orden temporal hoy mismo.

Victim: Sí. Gracias.

Translation:

Officer: A protective order is a legal document from the court. It prohibits him from coming near you.

Victim: That means he cannot come to the house?

Officer: Yes. He cannot go near your home or your work. If he violates the order, call 911 immediately.

Victim: What if he needs to get his things?

Officer: The police can accompany him. He does not need to speak with you. Do you understand?

Victim: Yes. I understand.

Officer: Do you want to request a protective order? The court can give you a temporary order today.

Victim: Yes. Thank you.

Quick Reference: Key Spanish Phrases

SituationSpanish Phrase
Separate partiesSepárense, por favor.
Check for weapons¿Hay armas en la casa?
Ask what happened¿Qué pasó esta noche?
Ask about hitting¿Le golpeó?
Ask about injuries¿Dónde le duele?
Ask about prior abuse¿Le ha golpeado antes?
Ask about fear¿Tiene miedo de volver a casa?
Offer shelter¿Quiere que le ayude a encontrar un refugio?
Explain protective orderUna orden de protección le prohíbe acercarse.
No-contact orderNo puede comunicarse con ella de ninguna manera.

Ready to Test Your Domestic Violence Spanish?

Think you’ve mastered domestic violence response phrases? Test your skills with our interactive quiz.

🧠 ➡️ Take the Spanish Domestic Violence Quiz

Related Guides from the Law Enforcement Hub

🏠 Domestic Violence Spanish: Frequently Asked Questions

A: “Sepárense, por favor.”

This is the formal command to ask multiple people to separate. The reflexive pronoun “se” indicates the action is done to oneself. For directing individuals to specific locations, use “Usted vaya a la cocina” (You go to the kitchen) and “Usted vaya a la sala” (You go to the living room).

A: “¿Hay armas en la casa?”

“Hay” means “there is/there are.” This is an impersonal question that does not require conjugating for the subject. For children, say “¿Hay niños en la casa?” (Are there children in the house?).

A: “¿Qué pasó esta noche?”

“Pasó” is the preterite (past) tense of “pasar” (to happen). For a more detailed request, say “¿Me puede decir exactamente lo que pasó?” (Can you tell me exactly what happened?).

A: Use these specific verbs in the preterite tense:

  • “¿Le golpeó?” (Did he/she hit you?)
  • “¿Le empujó?” (Did he/she push you?)
  • “¿Le abofeteó?” (Did he/she slap you?)
  • “¿Le pateó?” (Did he/she kick you?)
  • “¿Le agarró del brazo o del cuello?” (Did he/she grab you by the arm or neck?)
  • “¿Le tiró del pelo?” (Did he/she pull your hair?)

All these use the formal “le” (you) and the preterite tense for past actions.

A: “¿Dónde le duele?” (Where does it hurt?) uses the verb “doler” which functions like “gustar” – the thing that hurts is the subject. “Me duele el brazo” (My arm hurts).

Also: “¿Tiene moretones?” (Do you have bruises?), “¿Necesita una ambulancia?” (Do you need an ambulance?), and “¿Puedo tomar fotos de sus lesiones?” (Can I take photos of your injuries?).

A: “¿Le ha golpeado antes?” (Has he/she hit you before?) uses the present perfect tense (“ha golpeado”) to ask about past actions that may continue or repeat.

For fear: “¿Tiene miedo de volver a casa?” (Are you afraid to go home?) uses “tener miedo” (to have fear) + “de” + infinitive.

A: “¿Quiere que le ayude a encontrar un refugio?” (Do you want me to help you find a shelter?) uses the subjunctive “ayude” after “querer que.”

Also: “Hay un lugar seguro para víctimas. Es gratis y seguro.” (There is a safe place for victims. It is free and safe.) “La línea de crisis está disponible 24 horas.” (The crisis hotline is available 24 hours.)

A: “Una orden de protección es un documento legal de la corte. Le prohíbe a [nombre] acercarse a usted.” (A protective order is a legal document from the court. It prohibits [name] from coming near you.)

“Si él/ella viola la orden, llame al 911 inmediatamente.” (If he/she violates the order, call 911 immediately.) The verb “violar” means to violate or break a rule.

A: “No puede comunicarse con ella de ninguna manera. No puede llamar, enviar mensajes, ni escribirle. No puede acercarse a su casa ni a su trabajo.”

All these use “no puede” + infinitive to express prohibition. “Comunicarse” is reflexive (to communicate with each other). “Acercarse a” means “to approach.”

A: “¿Hay niños en la casa?” (Are there children in the house?) and “¿Los niños vieron lo que pasó?” (Did the children see what happened?)

For witnesses: “¿Hay alguien más que viera lo que pasó?” (Is there anyone else who saw what happened?) uses the imperfect subjunctive “viera” after “que” for an unknown person.

A: “¿Usted tiene lesiones?” (Do you have injuries?)

“Lesiones” means injuries. For a singular injury, say “¿Tiene una lesión?” The verb “tener” is used to express having physical conditions or injuries.

A: Formal “usted” commands and questions maintain professionalism and respect in sensitive situations. Using informal “tú” can sound disrespectful or overly familiar.

Examples of formal vs. informal: “No se mueva” (formal, don’t move) vs. “No te muevas” (informal). Always use formal “usted” with both victims and suspects unless the situation clearly calls for informal address (such as with children).

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