If you live in the United States, these are the services that can help: what each one does, who it is for and the first step. Many rules depend on your state, so several of these lead you to the help where you live.
This is general information, not legal advice. Each service was checked against its own website on 7 November 2026. Rules change: read what the service itself says before you decide.
Help by topic
- Money to live on in the USMoney help in the US when you leave an abusive partner: public benefits, help finding benefits and crime victim compensation.
- A safe place to live in the USSomewhere safe to stay in the US when you leave violence: shelters, your housing rights in federally assisted housing, and keeping your address private.
- Free legal help in the USFree legal help in the US when you live with domestic violence: legal aid finders and plain-language legal information by state.
- Protection orders and the police in the USProtection orders in the US, reporting to the police, and support for victims of crime.
- Children and custody in the USHelp for children and parents in the US after domestic violence: custody information and child abuse help.
- Your immigration status if you leave in the USIf your status in the US depends on your partner: the VAWA self-petition, the U visa and the T visa.
- Health care and help after sexual assault in the USHealth care in the US after abuse or sexual assault: sexual assault exams, health centers and support lines.
- Help for particular groups in the USHelp in the US for men, LGBTQ+ people, older people, Native communities, Deaf people and teens, from services that know your situation.
Numbers
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233Text START to 88788The national line for anyone experiencing domestic violence.
24/7
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Call 1-800-422-4453For children, and for adults worried about a child. Call, text or chat.
24/7
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call 988Text 988For suicidal thoughts or any crisis.
24/7
love is respect
Call 1-866-331-9474Text LOVEIS to 22522For teens and young adults in relationships.
24/7
Ask Askepott
Ask in your own words and choose the US under "Where are you?". Nothing you write is stored.