Domestic Violence Hotline Resources

Crisis Hotlines by Country

If you're in immediate danger, call emergency services (911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand). The hotlines below provide confidential safety planning, legal referrals, and shelter connections.

United States

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 — 24/7, 200+ languages
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
• StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 (for Native Americans and Alaska Natives)
• VictimConnect Resource Center: 1-855-4-VICTIM

Canada

• Assaulted Women's Helpline (Ontario): 1-866-863-0511
• SOS Violence Conjugale (Quebec): 1-800-363-9010
• Provincial crisis lines vary — search "[your province] domestic violence hotline" for the local number

United Kingdom

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 — 24/7, free from all phones
• Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
• Galop (LGBTQ+): 0800 999 5428

Australia

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 — 24/7 national sexual assault and domestic violence counselling
• MensLine: 1300 78 99 78

New Zealand

• Women's Refuge Crisisline: 0800 733 843 — 24/7

Ireland

• Women's Aid: 1800 341 900 — 24/7
• Men's Aid: 01 554 3811

South Africa

• GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428 — 24/7
• People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA): 011 642 4345

Many hotline services are confidential, but ask each service about privacy and mandatory-reporting limits. Advocates can help you assess your safety, connect with local shelters, and find legal representation — even if you're not ready to leave yet.

Free and Low-Cost Legal Help

Filing for divorce and protective orders can cost money, but fee waivers or remissions may be available based on income, public assistance, or local domestic-violence rules.

Court fee waivers (US): Every state has a process for requesting a fee waiver (often called "in forma pauperis" or IFP). Filing for a domestic violence protective order is free in all 50 states — no waiver needed. For divorce filing fees, submit the fee waiver form with your initial petition. You'll need to provide basic financial information showing inability to pay.

Court fee remission (UK): Apply for Help with Fees (form EX160) when filing divorce or family court applications. If you receive certain benefits or your income is below the threshold, you may pay nothing. Filing for a Non-Molestation Order is free regardless of income.

Reduced fees (Australia): Filing for divorce costs $1,170, reduced to $390 with a concession card. Filing for Family Violence Intervention Orders is free across all states and territories.

Legal aid organizations that specialize in domestic violence:

• US: Legal Aid Society (varies by state), WomensLaw.org (legal information and referrals), local bar association pro bono programs
• UK: Rights of Women (free legal advice line), Citizens Advice, National Centre for Domestic Violence (free injunction service)
• Canada: Legal Aid Ontario, BC Legal Services Society, provincial legal aid clinics
• Australia: Legal Aid commissions (state-specific), Women's Legal Services (free, state-specific)
• New Zealand: Community Law Centres, Women's Refuge legal advocacy

How to Access These Services Safely

If your devices are monitored, calling from your personal phone may be detected through call logs, phone bills, or spyware. Safer alternatives:

• Call from a trusted friend's phone, a work phone, or a library
• Use a prepaid burner phone purchased with cash
• Use online chat only from a device the abuser cannot access — private or incognito browsing does not make a monitored device safe
• Many hotlines offer text-based contact if you can't safely make a phone call

Most hotlines can also help with practical logistics you may not realize they cover: safety planning for leaving, referrals to shelters with availability, help finding emergency housing, connections to domestic violence attorneys who take cases pro bono or on sliding scales, and assistance applying for Address Confidentiality Programs that keep your new location off public records.

The Leaving an Abusive Marriage Safely Guide consolidates these resources into an organized reference section alongside safety planning worksheets, evidence documentation templates, and step-by-step exit logistics — tools designed to complement the professional support these organizations provide.