Skip to Content

Resources for Domestic Violence Victims

Resources for Domestic Violence Victims

There is Help for Domestic Violence Victims

It’s vital to understand that domestic violence can occur to anyone, and the signs aren’t always immediately obvious. Luckily, there are resources for domestic violence victims. These organizations are dedicated to doing what it takes to assist victims and help them on the road to recovery.

No matter how hopeless you feel your situation may be, there are resources available.  You only have to know where to look.

Resources for Current Victims

Whether you are fearful that your current partner may be developing violent habits or know for sure that you are trapped in an unsafe situation, these organizations are dedicated to helping you find your way to safety.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

One of the most well-known resources for domestic violence victims is known simply as the hotline.  On the full website, you’ll be able to search through an assortment of resources, from pamphlets identifying early signs of abuse to guided safety plans. The National Domestic Violence Hotline maintains a focus on education, teaching how abuse happens, when it occurs, and why victims so often seem to stay.

By calling or texting the hotline itself, survivors can get in contact with advocates who work personally to connect them to the resources they need. Asking for help can be scary, but you aren’t alone!  In twenty-five years, The National Domestic Violence Hotline has answered over 5 million contacts in over 200 different languages!  

To reach out, contact them either online by calling 1-800-799-SAFE, or by texting START to 88788.

Love is Respect

Though most tend to think of domestic violence as an issue between married partners, it doesn’t happen overnight.  Most often, violence begins while two people are still in the stage of dating.

Love is Respect is a national resource available specifically to assist those who worry they may be trapped within an unhealthy dating dynamic.  Love is Respect is geared specifically to people between the ages of thirteen and twenty-six, ready to provide education, resources, and whatever tools young people may need to end a cycle of abuse.  This resource can be especially helpful to parents who worry that their son or daughter is falling too fast for someone who may not be their best match.

My Plan

For many victims, the most terrifying aspect of a domestic violence situation is fear of their partner’s reaction to them trying to leave.  It’s a complex, dangerous issue and leaving a violent situation requires a specific plan.

MyPlan is an app available for free download on either Apple or Android devices. This app guides victims through the process of leaving, walking them through local resources and the steps they’ll need to take to break free.  MyPlan was originally designed by Johns Hopkins in 2010, and for over ten years, the creators have fine-tuned the research behind the plans. With the help of this app, you can rest assured that your escape is in safe hands.

Once you follow through on your plan to leave, your next step will be to find a place to go. MyPlan can help with that as well! They’ll help connect you with the resources you need, even if that means looking into a domestic violence shelter.

WomensLaw.org

Leaving a violent partner can be difficult to do on your own, especially if your lives were bound by marriage or children.  Outside of the bravery such an act requires, there’s the legal aspect.  Leaving a long-time partner requires splitting property, deciding custody, and even the logistics behind figuring out divorce proceedings.

WomensLaw.org is available with resources for domestic violence victims who need guidance in this complicated area. This website provides a state-by-state breakdown of legal resources.  In 2002, this resource also added a completely confidential email line, dedicated to helping those who need even more guidance for their particular situation.

Annually, over 1.6 million people visit this award-winning resource. Regardless of where in the United States you live, WomensLaw.org believes that knowledge is power.  If there’s anything a person needs to leave a complicated and violent home, it’s power.

Help in Healing

Leaving a violent situation is only the first part of the process.  From there, a survivor must begin the hard process of healing.  Luckily, there are resources for domestic violence victims hoping to get help in this step of the journey as well. 

The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

The mission of the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health is to help victims of domestic violence go from traumatized to empowered.  This organization works to provide researched, trauma-informed responses to violence.  They hope to end the cycle of violence by keeping people informed of their options during violent situations, as well as what steps they can take afterward to heal.

On this website, survivors can find every resource they need to better understand their own mental states.  From webinars to articles, this center can help both survivors and friends of survivors who may be struggling to understand their situation.

Read on to find Resources for Domestic Violence Victims

The Childhood Violent Trauma Center

Women may be the ones most often centered in domestic violence situations, but often children are the ones most affected.

For over twenty years, The Childhood Violent Trauma Center has taken actions to protect children who have experienced domestic violence firsthand.  This organization is known both nationally and internationally for its scientific knowledge, clinical research, and work developing interventions for traumatized children and their families. 

If you’re lucky enough to be located near this center, you can take full advantage of their in-person stress intervention classes.  Research shows that children who undergo this Child and Family Stress Intervention course were 73 percent less likely to show symptoms of PTSD in follow-up studies. 

Community United Against Violence

When healing from violence inflicted by a loved one, it’s vital to have resources for domestic violence victims that seem to speak to you personally.  The Community United Against Violence works specifically with members of the LGBTQ community who’ve suffered such violence from family or their community. 

The CUAV takes the stance that no violence happens within a vacuum; it’s all a part of a broader system.  With this knowledge, CUAV works against not just domestic violence, but also oppression, hate-based violence, and state violence. 

In addition to general education and organized programs, the Community United Against Violence offers peer support.  Survivors of violence can reach out and find community through this program’s short-term counseling program.  If you think you could benefit, feel free to reach out by calling 415-333-HELP and scheduling an appointment.

DV LEAP

One of the most heartbreaking parts of recovering from a domestic violence situation can come after the court case.  If you think that you didn’t receive the justice you deserved, you may want to follow up with help from DV LEAP.

DV LEAP challenges unjust legal outcomes, helping the law work for victims of domestic violence rather than against them.  In 2019, this organization raised 5.5 million dollars to help survivors find their day in court with help from nationally reviewed law firms. Apply online if you think that you may need help with your appeal. 

Conclusion

Escaping a situation of domestic violence isn’t easy, but it certainly isn’t impossible.  With help from some of the easily available resources for domestic violence victims, you can make a plan to safely leave and find a place to stay during the difficult process.  There is help available to get you the legal assistance you need and heal in the way you deserve.

Never be afraid to reach out to a brighter, safer future!

Save Money and Get Free Stuff!

Jessica Richburg is a freelance writer and educator. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, she's located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where she passes the time reading, writing, and trying not to be eaten by her feral cat.