Sanctum
abuse
recovery
alliance
domestic violence education
Websites​​
Alliance for Hope International
Alliance for HOPE International is one of the leading systems and social change organizations in the country focused on creating innovative, collaborative, trauma-informed, hope-centered approaches to meeting the needs of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. The Alliance supports Family Justice/Multi-Agency Centers through our Family Justice Center Alliance, works with survivors and strangulation and suffocation assaults in our Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, and also runs the largest camping and mentoring program in the country for children impacted by domestic violence – Camp HOPE America.
American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence
A helpful guide and database to finding local legal resources and state-by-state statutory summary charts is available on this site. The Commission was founded in 1994 to increase access to justice for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by mobilizing the legal profession and increasing the number of well-trained and supported attorneys.
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Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence
BTSADV has grown to become a national nonprofit organization led by survivor-volunteers who serve victims, survivors, and families affected by domestic violence. They understand the unmet needs of survivors and have developed a unique organization that could bridge the gap in services between emergency shelters, direct service providers, government agencies, academic institutions, businesses and the community. Each program is designed to empower, educate, and fulfill the needs of survivors and their families through our unique connective resources.
Catholics For Family Peace is an initiative of the National Catholic School of Social Service at the Catholic University of America. Their mission is to inform the Catholic community on ways to promote family peace and to prevent and respond to domestic abuse and to provide resources and promote prayer for all families. Our initiative provides education, resources, and research that help pastoral leaders, clergy, and parishioners recognize domestic abuse and respond with compassion. Catholics for Family Peace also serves as a clearinghouse for effective pastoral practices of the universal Church that address violence in the home.
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Childhood Domestic Violence Association
Coined the term "CDV" or childhood domestic violence and is one of the very few organizations that deal with the overlooked population of adults who faced violence during their childhood. Offers a number of groundbreaking tools and resources, books, documentary and articles to build awareness of CDV and those dealing with it reach their full potential.
Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women is committed to stop violence against Native women and children by advocating for social change in our communities. The CSVANW takes ownership and responsibility for the future of Native women and children by providing support, education, and advocacy using our strengths, power and unity to create violence-free communities.
End Violence Against Women International
EVAWI works to inspire and educate those who respond to gender-based violence, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. They promote victim-centered, multidisciplinary collaboration, which strengthens the response of the criminal justice system, other professionals, allies, and the general public -- making communities safer. Their OnLine Training Institute (OLTI) provides professionals the opportunity to earn 213 contact hours while learning about cutting-edge developments in the criminal justice and community response to sexual assault.
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Finding Our Voices is a grassroots non-profit powered by survivors standing proud and speaking loud to educate everyone about the pervasiveness, insidiousness and complexity of domestic abuse. They empower girls and women to recognize, avoid, safely leave and heal from dangerous relationships, reframe domestic abuse away from false and harmful stereotypes (Yes, it happens to smart and successful women) and provide sister-to-sister services for victims. Check out their podcast hosted by founder Patrisha McLean.
FreeFrom works to support survivors of domestic violence have sustaining income, savings and credit with which to build wealth and the resources to support individual, intergenerational and community healing. They do this by integrating financial capacity building services into the domestic violence movement, providing financial capacity building services directly to survivors through technology and removing structural obstacles to survivors’ financial security. Victims of abuse can use their Compensation Compass tool to uncover money their eligible for. Their Survivor Wealth Summit is a two-day convening, bringing together survivors, gender-based violence movement leaders and activists, asset building experts, funders, policy makers and key stakeholders to innovate, cross-pollinate, and build an ecosystem to support financial security and long-term safety for everyone.
For more than 30 years FUTURES has been offering groundbreaking programs and campaigns empowering individuals and organizations to bring an end to domestic violence. Great examples include Coaching Boys Into Men, Lessons from Literature, an excellent ongoing webinar series, the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and much more. A forward-thinking organization and site definitely worth connecting.
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Through their Operation: Safe Escape program they can help you, or someone you care about, safely get out of an abusive relationship when technology is being used to prevent escape. They apply the same security principles used by the military, law enforcement, and other personnel security environments to make sure you have the information you need now.
Founded in 2004 by actress Mariska Hargitay, Joyful Heart is a leading national organization with a mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever.
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Love is Respect - National Teen Dating Helpline
As it suggests, this resource focuses on teen relationships and can be accessed by phone, text or live chat. Run by The National Domestic Violence Hotline, it offers real-time, one-on-one support from trained peer advocates that offer support, information and advocacy to those involved in dating abuse relationships as well as concerned parents, teachers, clergy, law enforcement, and service providers.
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National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health
The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health provides training, support, and consultation to advocates, mental health and substance abuse providers, legal professionals, and policymakers as they work to improve agency and systems-level responses to survivors and their children. Their work is survivor defined and rooted in principles of social justice.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Long-standing organization that primarily focuses on public policy and training for programs and shelter professionals. Hosts periodic conferences, Remember My Name registry of domestic violence deaths, and Cosmetic & Reconstructive Support Program that helps survivors who need cosmetic surgery in applying for services through two medical providers. Their financial educational webinar series empower survivors with financial literacy knowledge.
National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors
The National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors, formerly known as the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women, addresses the unique needs of victims of gender-based violence who have been criminalized as a result of their experiences of being abused. The National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors provides specialized technical assistance, resources, and support for victims and their defense teams. Equally important, we train and build alliances among national, state-wide, and local organizations to improve justice for survivors everywhere.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Most recognized for its 24-hour national hotline available in English and Spanish every hour of every day of the year at 1-800-799-7233. Hotline advocates provide callers with an understanding ear on a topic that can cause victims to feel embarrassed or isolated, safety planning and guidance on accessing local services. It also operates live chat services with advocates every day.
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (NIWRC) is a Native-led nonprofit organization dedicated to ending violence against Native women and children. The NIWRC provides national leadership in ending gender-based violence in tribal communities by lifting up the collective voices of grassroots advocates and offering culturally grounded resources, technical assistance and training, and policy development to strengthen tribal sovereignty.
The National Link Coalition is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative initiative to increase awareness and address public policy, programs and research. Intentional abuse in any form should be taken seriously. This organization serves as the National Resource Center on The Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence.
National Network to End Domestic Violence
This Washington, DC-based outfit that was formed in 1990 as social change organization, dedicated to creating a social, political and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. Though more focused on policy and supporting state coalitions and allied organizations, it does offer plenty of useful information and operates a separate website covering domestic violence laws. They also offer detailed information about technology safety.
National Organization for Victim Assistance
Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States and is the recognized leader in victim advocacy, education and credentialing.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Through its special projects, NRCDV has been a source for 20 years for those wanting to educate themselves and help others on the many issues related to domestic violence. The special projects include Building Comprehensive Solutions, Domestic Violence Awareness Project, Domestic Violence Evidence Project, VAWnet, prevent IPV, RHY Toolkit and ACE-DV, and each has its own dedicated website with additional resources that you can access here.
National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence ("NTF") is focused on the development, passage and implementation of effective public policy to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The full membership of the NTF is comprised of a large and diverse group of national, tribal, state, territorial and local organizations, as well as individuals, committed to securing an end to violence against women.
Network for Victim Recovery of DC
Network for Victim Recovery of DC empowers victims of all crimes to achieve survivor-defined justice through a collaborative continuum of advocacy, case management and legal services. Staff attorneys provide direct representation in civil protection orders (CPO) cases and Title IX administrative proceedings; in criminal court, they zealously defend victims’ rights throughout the entire criminal justice process. Special projects include the Victim Legal Network of DC (VLNDC), Elder Justice Initiatives (including the District’s Collaborative Training & Response for Older Victims (DC TROV) and Project and Support & Legal Advocacy for Youth (SLAY) Team. NVRDC also operates DV LEAP which makes the law work for survivors of domestic violence by challenging unjust trial outcomes; advancing legal protections through expert pro bono advocacy; training lawyers, advocates, and judges on best practices; and spearheading domestic violence litigation in the Supreme Court.
Most noted for its teal circular symbol and advertisements, NOMORE was conceived to amplify the power of the domestic violence and sexual assault movement and to drive awareness and break down the barriers of stigma, silence and shame that keep people from talking about these issues and taking action to prevent them. Search for international resources and helplines using their directory
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One Love is on a mission to educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better. They engage young people with powerful films and honest conversation. Through our workshops and peer-to-peer discussions, One Love offers a framework that helps students spread our message online and in their communities.
OVC was formally established in 1988 through an amendment to the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Its mission is to enhance the Nation's capacity to assist crime victims by providing leadership and funding on behalf of crime victims. Visit their website to find victim assistance programs in your area including compensation programs through the Crime Victim's Fund.
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Pathways to Safety International
If you’re an American overseas, your situation is different than 99% of your fellow countrymen, and this site will be a wonderful resource for you. Among such services as case management, danger-to-safety relocation, legal consultations for mothers seeking divorce and custody, payment of initial legal retainers, housing assistance and funds to help with emergency needs such as issuing American passports, there is also a 24-hour response to emails, as well as international phone options and live chat.
The Peaceful Families Project (PFP) is an initiative devoted to ending domestic violence in Muslim families by facilitating awareness workshops for Muslim leaders and communities, providing cultural sensitivity trainings and technical assistance for professionals, conducting research, and developing resources.
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RESPOND is a non-profit organization launched by a dedicated team of highly experienced professionals in the fields which impact victims of violence including criminal justice, advocacy, and healthcare. Their team consists of members with combined decades of professional and real-world experience from diverse disciplines who have made revolutionary, measurable advances in their respective fields.
The Safe Housing Partnership is an innovative, collaborative approach to providing training, technical assistance, and resource development at the critical intersection of domestic and sexual violence, homelessness, and housing. Funded and supported by an unprecedented partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice, and Department of Housing and Urban Development, this multi-year Consortium brings together national, state, and local organizations with deep expertise on housing and domestic violence in order to collaboratively build and strengthen technical assistance to both housing/homelessness providers and domestic violence service providers.
The Shalom Task Force aims to help individuals and families in the Orthodox community struggling with troubled relationships at home. They offer professional guidance to community leaders who may be approached for advice by someone in a complex, and possibly dangerous, situation, and aim to provide preventative education to young adults and community members. Their program Sarah's Voice is a legal assistance program run by a team of dedicated lawyers and advocates who work hand-in-hand to ease the process for survivors.
Shared Hope International is dedicated to bringing an end to sex trafficking through a three-pronged approach – prevent, restore, and bring justice through a wide variety of programs and resources. The Shared Hope International Training Center provides extensive training tools for those in the fight against sex trafficking. Delivering collaboration, advocacy, resources, and learning on juvenile sex trafficking, our tools are designed for professionals, advocates and the general public. Their Women’s Investment Network (WIN) provides women the opportunity to engage in hands-on vocational training, leadership development and job skills courses so they can achieve financial independence.
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Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE) is a national non-profit that provides unique services for domestic violence victims and helps those who typically fall between the cracks of domestic violence services. The information provided is for (but not limited to) straight men, LGBT victims, teens, and the elderly. SAFE works to bring community awareness to injustices that the media and other organizations tend to overlook.
The Center for Survivor Agency and Justice
The Center for Survivor Agency and Justice fosters systemic change that better aligns what communities provide with what works to meet the comprehensive, self-defined needs of IPV survivors. They strive to meet this goal by developing transformative advocacy approaches that match institutional structures, organizational programs, and professional practices with IPV survivors’ lived realities.
The National Family Violence Law Center
The National Family Violence Law Center serves as the preeminent home for national research and expert support for the growing movement to better protect children in contested custody cases. It provides pioneering quantitative and qualitative research, training and education, state and federal policy development, and selective litigation.
The Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence
The Network is a collaborative membership organization dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by domestic violence through education, public policy and advocacy, and the connection of community members to direct service providers. Their Centralized Training Institute (CTI) to respond to the ongoing demand for professional domestic violence prevention and intervention training in Chicagoland. The trainings conducted by CTI are designed to improve the quality of domestic violence services provided to survivors by enhancing the understanding, expertise and skill sets of community members, advocates, organizers and professionals.
The Pixel Project offers people who are first-time supporters of the movement to end violence against entry-level opportunities to contribute their talents to the cause. The Pixel Project also provide online resources to get help and/or share their stories including tweeting helplines from over 30 countries daily, resource pages with links to anti-violence against women organizations worldwide, and their annual Survivor Stories campaign.
Ujima: National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
Launched in 2016, Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community serves as a national, culturally-specific services issue resource center to provide support to and be a voice for the Black Community in response to domestic, sexual and community violence. Ujima was founded in response to a need for an active approach to ending domestic, sexual and community violence in the Black community.
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In 1997, a group of women of color from across the country gathered to establish an entity to address the unique challenges facing women of color advocates and activists within the violence against women movement. WOCN, Inc. works in and beyond the fields of domestic violence and sexual assault to address a broad range of violence affecting communities of color such as human trafficking, police brutality and over-incarceration.
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"Women at the centrE" is a survivor centered and led non-profit organization working to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence globally. They are dedicated to ensuring the voices and expertise of survivors are central in the inception, development, and implementation of all programs and policies aimed at preventing and responding to gender based violence. Survivors are the true experts, and the organization channels their shared experiences to create a better world for everyone.
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books​​
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence: A Holistic Perspective by Franklin, Delia Marie
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Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft
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The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and Respond by Patricia Evans
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Should I Stay or Should I Go? by Lundy Bancroft & JAC Patrissi
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Stop Signs: Recognizing, Avoiding, and Escaping Abusive Relationships by Lynn Fairweather, MSW
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Interpersonal Aggression: Complexities of Domestic and Intimate Partner Abuse by Peterson, Carol Ann
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Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
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How to Spot a Dangerous Man Before You Get Involved by M.A. Sandra L. Brown
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Guides​​​​​
Signs of a Toxic Relationship
What Are the Power and Control Wheels?
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A Guide to Gaslighting
A Guide to Coercive Control
What Is Trauma Bonding?
Am I Being Abused?
What is Domestic Violence?
Guide to Domestic Violence Safety Planning
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What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
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A Guide to Cyberstalking
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A Guide to Restraining Orders
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A Guide for Male Survivors of Domestic Violence​​​​​​​​​
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assessments​​
The free Danger Assessment helps determine the level of danger an abused person has of being killed by an intimate partner. There are two parts to the tool: 1) a calendar and 2) a 20-item scoring instrument. The calendar helps to assess the severity and frequency of abuse, and it helps raise the consciousness of the victim and reduce the denial and minimization of the abuse. The 20-item scoring instrument uses a weighted system to score yes/no responses to risk factors associated with intimate partner homicide. It is available in multiple languages and offers a separate assessment tool for immigrant women.
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Using a series of questions, each weighed by MOSAIC in relation to their importance, this free tool assesses how similar a situation is to other situations that have gotten worse. After creating a confidential account and answering the questions, a detailed report is compiled immediately and tells you how a situation compares to others like it, rating it on a scale of 1 to 10. MOSAIC has been used by U.S. Supreme Court police to assess threats against Justices, by the U.S. Capitol Police to assess threats against members of Congress and by police protecting governors of 11 states, though now its widest use is in assessing cases of domestic violence.
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Adverse Childhood Experience Quiz
The ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) quiz helps you tally different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood. Research originally conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente in the mid-1990s found that the greater the number of ACEs the greater the risk for negative outcomes related to health, behavior and opportunity. If you score high when taking the quiz, you may want to read the article, "Because of the Adversity I Faced in Childhood, There's Nothing I Can't Do."
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The Lethality Assessment Program
Based on the research of Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell of Johns Hopkins University, the LAP was created by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV). The LAP is intended to be used by first responders and domestic violence professionals such as advocates, to assess if the survivor is in danger, and if so, how much danger the survivor is in. The LAP is a series of 11 questions and an assessment, followed by a procedure of connecting survivors with resources. The Center for Disease Control identified the LAP as a "supported intervention" for domestic violence, while it's called a "leading promising practice" by the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW).
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Stalking and Harassment Assessment and Risk Profile
SHARP is a 15-minute online assessment that is free and confidential. Within about a minute of completing the assessment, participants receive a narrative summarizing their situation and steps they may want to consider to improve their safety. SHARP is useful for both victims of stalking and professionals assisting victims. It is consistent with general legal components of stalking statutes and was developed collaboratively with professionals in the field as well as victims, including attorneys, victim advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement, and organizations such as the Battered Women’s Justice Project and the Stalking Resource Center.
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SOS Conjugale Interactive Questionnaire
Twenty-five questions to identify if different forms of intimate partner violence are present in your relationship with your partner or ex-partner. This free online tool is designed to 1) explore your situation objectively 2) put words on your reality 3) help someone take a step back. The tool was created for people living in Quebec, however it is useful no matter where you live and you can find nearby help here.
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apps​​​
Bright Sky is the latest digital resource available to support anyone concerned about or experiencing domestic violence. A free, safe, and easy-to-use mobile app and website, Bright Sky connects those impacted by domestic violence to practical information to educate, detect warning signs, and deliver life-saving information and features to respond to domestic violence – while offering a secure route for support.
Helps you document abuse that can become essential when working with law enforcement and the judicial system. VictimsVoice is a password-protected “progressive web app,” which makes it less likely for an abuser to detect on a survivor’s phone.
Pros: Helps you create legally admissible chronological records to submit in court.
Cons: A little pricey at $39.95, but the information is kept safe indefinitely, even if you stop using the app and need to come back to it years later.
Looped Fusion Purple™
Looped Fusion Purple™ enables safe communication and collaboration between service providers and their clients on any smartphone device. The mobile solution includes specially designed features that connect advocates with victims or survivors within a single communication and engagement system. Looped Fusion Purple allows victims to safely access the tools and resources they need - even if they are being tracked or monitored on their devices through a disguised access point. To find out more, schedule a free no obligation demo by clicking here Link
Pros: Utilizes a safe browser that leaves no history, cache or cookies, SafeCalling feature means that no minutes are needed and calls are not tracked on phone bills or device logs, users don’t need a phone number or email for account creation, Wifi enabled so no data plan is needed, service is free for client users.
Cons: Not available to the public, the domestic violence program must use the service for a survivor to use it.
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eBodyGuard is a voice- or button-activated app that notifies 911 emergency responders in the U.S. of your location, sends your location to a predesignated emergency contact, and records surrounding audio that can be used as evidence in a criminal investigation.
Pros: Criminal Justice Information System-compliant app, which means that the data collection process and the eBodyGuard team are FBI-certified to collect and record crime scene data, which is more likely admissible in court.
Cons: Voice activation can be triggered accidentally. However, if a user accidentally activates eBodyGuard, a code can be entered to deactivate it.
Because threats and protection order violations often take place over the phone, it’s worthwhile to record phone conversations with your abuser. TapeACall allows you to record incoming/outgoing phone calls without an indication to the third party they’re being recorded.
Pro: Recording and retrieving audio files is quite simple.
Con: The Pro version is $9.99. TapeACall Lite is free but only affords you access to the first 60 seconds of playback.
Feel more secure traversing in uncomfortable locations and situations. Simply hold down a button on the screen when feeling unsafe. If released, 911 is contacted and police are dispatched. To cancel the call, enter a four-digit pin.
Pro: Intuitive and simple to use. A personal pin number you create is required to cancel your call for help.
Con: While the download is free, you’ll need to buy a monthly subscription starting at $2.99 to access the features.
This free app helps to assess the danger level of one’s current partner. After answering a series of questions—either for yourself or someone else—you’ll receive a score of 0 to 20 on a danger scale followed by an action plan to help you figure out what to do next. myPlan is also for friends and family who are concerned about a partner to learn strategies for how to support their loved one.
Pro: Easy, quick to use. Also provides 24/7 advocate support through an embedded live chat feature.
Con: Developed based on research of women—doesn’t take into consideration male-only relationships or female-on-male violence. Update: myPlan has been updated to include survivors of all genders with partners of all genders!
Your trusted contacts receive an SOS text or voice message when you need help. Created by the When Georgia Smiled: Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation, this app is disguised as a news feed, a super-smart feature when you figure abusive partners often monitor their victim’s phone activity.
Pro: Well-disguised so an abuser may be none the wiser.
Con: Takes a little bit of time to set up and figure out.​
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