⚠️ CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: READ FIRST
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Are you safe right now? Abusers often monitor their partner’s internet activity, texts, and calls. If you believe your device or internet usage is being tracked:
- Use a different device that your partner cannot access (a friend’s phone, a library computer, or a work computer) to look up these resources.
- Be careful saving passwords or bookmarking these pages.
- Know your exit strategy. Most domestic violence websites have a quick “Escape” or “X” button that will immediately switch your screen to a generic page like Google or Weather.com.
If you are reading this because you feel unsafe in your relationship, or if you are researching on behalf of a loved one, please know this: You are brave for taking this step. You deserve to be safe, respected, and free from fear.
Navigating domestic violence is incredibly overwhelming. It involves emotional trauma, logistical nightmares, and often, complex legal and financial hurdles.
We have compiled a list of verified, confidential resources designed to help you understand your options and plan for your safety. These organizations exist to support you without judgment.
1. Immediate, Confidential Crisis Support (24/7)
Before you do anything else, connect with advocates who are trained to help you de-escalate a crisis and create a safety plan. These services are free, confidential, and available anytime.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline)
This is the primary resource in the U.S. Advocates can help you assess your situation, provide immediate support, and connect you with local resources in your specific area.
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224
- Text: “START” to 88788
- Online Chat: Visit thehotline.org and look for the “Chat Now” button.
Crisis Text Line
If you cannot safely make a voice call and need immediate mental health support during a scary moment.
- Text: “HOME” to 741741
2. Finding Safe Housing and Shelter
When you need to leave, finding a safe place to go is often the biggest hurdle.
DomesticShelters.org
This is the largest, most comprehensive searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada. You don’t have to call blindly; this tool helps you find the right fit.
- How it helps: You can enter your zip code to find the nearest safe locations. You can filter results to see which shelters accept pets, have childcare capabilities, or offer specific language services.
- Website: domesticshelters.org
3. Understanding Your Legal Rights
The legal system is confusing on a good day, and terrifying when you are undergoing trauma. These resources explain the law in plain English.
WomensLaw.org
A project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, this site provides state-specific legal information tailored to survivors.
- How it helps: They break down complicated legal concepts. You can find information specific to your state regarding how to get a restraining order, how custody laws work, and definitions of abuse. They also offer an email hotline for specific legal questions.
- Website: womenslaw.org
4. Overcoming Financial Abuse
Financial abuse—where a partner controls all the money, ruins your credit, or forbids you from working—is one of the main reasons women feel forced to return to abusive partners. Regaining financial control is a crucial part of safety.
FreeFrom
FreeFrom is an organization dedicated specifically to dismantling the connection between intimate partner violence and financial insecurity.
- How it helps: They provide practical tools for building credit safely after it has been damaged by an abuser, resources on understanding financial trauma, and information on achieving economic independence.
- Website: freefrom.org
A Final Note on Safety Planning
The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is often when the survivor decides to leave. Do not try to figure it out alone as you go.
A Safety Plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes vital information like where your important documents are hidden (passports, birth certificates), having a “go bag” ready at a trusted friend’s house, and knowing exactly which doors or windows you will use during an emergency exit.
Advocates at The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) are experts at helping you create these plans. Please lean on their expertise to ensure your departure is as safe as possible.
You are not alone, and there is a way forward. Take it one step, and one resource, at a time.