Domestic Violence Shelter Resources

Staying in a domestic violence shelter may be part of your safety plan. If you’re in an abusive relationship and considering your options, it can be very helpful to locate the safe shelters that are near you. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a domestic violence shelter within your town or city, or you may have to travel to a nearby city. The location of your safest shelter may also depend on your situation: whether you need to stay in your community to be close to family or a support network, or if it’s safer for you to be as far away from your abusive partner as possible.

Domestic Violence Shelters and Standard Shelters

You might choose to research shelter options during a calm time. It is recommended that you do this research using a safe phone or computer that your partner does not have access to. If you do not have a safe device, learn more about ways you can reduce your tech footprints (keep in mind that online search history can never be completely deleted). Domestic violence shelters often provide support services in addition to being a safe shelter.

If you decide that staying at a safe shelter is best for you, consider that sometimes finding shelter space can be stressful and difficult. Find a safe time and use a safe phone to share details of your situation with the shelter advocate. Make a list of points to go over with the shelter advocate so they understand the full picture of your experience. Some domestic violence shelters prioritize clients based on the lethality of their situation, or availability may be based on who called first. You may need to speak to the shelter multiple times before you make the transition.

As part of your safety plan, you might consider keeping a packed bag hidden in a safe place with extra clothing and toiletries for yourself and any family members. It may also be helpful to keep important items and information together in a safe place, or at least know where they are located, so that you can quickly grab them. Important items can include:

• Driver’s license
• Birth certificate and children’s birth certificates
• Social security cards
• Financial information (bank accounts, credit cards, etc.)
• Legal papers (such as a protective order, work permit, divorce or custody papers, passport)
• Emergency numbers (local police, relatives and friends, local doctor/hospital)
• Medications
• Extra set of house and car keys
• Pay-as-you-go cell phone
• Address book
• Emergency money

Transportation is often a barrier for many survivors. It can be helpful to consider all of your options, such as:

• Asking a trusted friend, neighbor, coworker or family member to give you a ride
• Having the police pick you up. If you feel that involving police is a safe option, call your local police department to ask if they can provide safe transportation. It can be helpful to document who you speak with and the information you receive prior to leaving. When you’re ready to leave, call the police department well in advance of when you need transportation to the shelter.
• Keeping cab, train or bus money stashed in a safe place for when you need it
• Using a ridesharing service (such as Uber or Lyft) if available in your area (keep in mind these services are often tied to credit cards, so your abusive partner may be alerted if they have access to the credit card account)
• Asking someone at your local church or temple for assistance

You know your situation best, so only you know which options are safest for you. If you need help creating a safety plan or locating domestic violence shelters in your area, we’re here for you 24/7/365.