Resources for Battered Women

The feeling of fear and isolation can be overwhelming for a battered woman. You may feel as if you have no place to turn and that there is nobody who understands. But there are many organizations that can help with just a simple phone call. Individuals highly trained in protecting your privacy can help you leave an abusive situation without your abuser's knowledge.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, offering help to domestic violence victims in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization helps with crisis intervention and safety planning and can refer you to safe houses and agencies in your area that will offer protection. The organization has access to 5,000 programs and shelters across the United States. Hotline operators speak both English and Spanish and can locate interpreters in 150 languages.

  National Domestic Violence Hotline
  PO Box 16810
  Austin, Texas 78719
  [phone]
  [phone] (TTY)
  ndvh.org

Young Women's Christian Association

• According to the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), a woman is battered in America every five minutes and every 2.5 minutes a woman is the victim of sexual assault. Your local YWCA offers services such as counseling and assistance in finding safe shelter resources. The YWCA also offers action plans toward safety and may be able to provide transitional housing until a more permanent solution can be found. Most major cities across the United States have YWCA organizations.

  Young Women's Christian Association
  ywca.org

Stop Family Violence

• Stop Family Violence will assist you in finding the protection you need now. The organization offers referrals for abuse hotlines, shelters, confidential address programs and legal resources. The organization provides information on Internet and technology safety and instructions on how to spot domestic abuse.

  Stop Family Violence
  331 West 57th Street
  #518
  New York, New York 10019
  stopfamilyviolence.org

Tips

• If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help may be as close as your family physician. Medical records are confidential and the doctor will have the information you need to find to a safe place. Your local police or church organizations are equipped to help you escape. The main thing is to obtain help as quickly and quietly as possible.