Divine Rising NYC

Domestic Violence Resources

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If calling is not safe, text 911 — type your location and what is happening.

Domestic violence affects people of every background. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse — during pregnancy, postpartum, or at any time — confidential support exists in NYC and nationally.

24/7 Hotlines — Confidential & Free

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-7233 · Text "START" to 88788 · 24/7 · 200+ languages
  • NYC Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) · TTY: 1-800-810-7444 · 24/7
  • NYS Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline — 800-942-6906 · Text: 844-997-2121 · 24/7
  • Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 · Free, 24/7, no call needed

DV Shelters in NYC

All shelter locations are kept confidential to protect survivors. Call the NYC hotline at 1-800-621-4673 and tell them you need shelter — they will connect you based on your borough, family size, and needs. DV shelter spots fill up quickly — call back hourly if nothing is available.

Citywide Shelters

  • Safe Horizon — NYC's largest victim assistance nonprofit · 8 shelters across all 5 boroughs · 24/7 · 1-800-621-4673
  • Sanctuary for Families — 5 shelters citywide · legal, social & economic support · multilingual · immigrant focus · (212) 349-6009
  • Barrier Free Living — Shelter for survivors with physical or developmental disabilities · Deaf services VP: 646-807-4013 · Main: (212) 677-6668
  • Urban Resource Institute (URI) — PETS OK — 11 shelters with 242 pet-inclusive units · Email: PALSinfo@urinyc.org

By Borough

  • Manhattan: Henry Street Settlement — Emergency shelter for survivors & children · (212) 577-7777
  • Brooklyn: Good Shepherd Services — Safe Homes Project · 718-499-2151
  • Brooklyn: North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence · 718-302-4073
  • Brooklyn: African American Planning Commission — Serenity House · 718-218-7254
  • Bronx: Jewish Board — Genesis Shelter · 212-304-1430
  • Queens: Garden of Hope · English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Fujianese, Taiwanese · 877-990-8595
  • Staten Island: Seamen's Society — Safe Passage (non-residential, counseling & advocacy) · 718-447-7740 · For shelter in SI call 1-800-621-4673

Leaving with Your Pet

50% of survivors stay in abusive situations because they cannot bring their pet. These programs exist so no one has to make that choice.

  • URI PALS — People & Animals Living Safely · 11 shelters · 242 pet-inclusive units · dogs, cats, birds, small caged animals · Free · Email: PALSinfo@urinyc.org
  • Safe Havens for Pets — If the shelter cannot house your pet on-site, Safe Havens connects you with vetted foster homes · safehavensforpets.org
  • Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals — Connects survivors with pet-friendly shelters and foster options · animalalliancenyc.org

In New York State, your pet can be included in an order of protection. Ask your attorney or advocate to include your pet when filing.

If No DV Shelter Is Available — Go to PATH

If you cannot get into a DV shelter right now, go directly to the PATH Intake Center — NYC's 24/7 entry point for families in need of emergency shelter. No appointment needed.

PATH — Prevention Assistance & Temporary Housing

151 East 151st Street, Bronx, NY 10451

Phone: 718-503-6400 · Open 24/7 · When you arrive, ask for the NoVA unit — they screen for DV and prevent placement near your abuser.

Forms of Domestic Violence

  • Physical Abuse — Hitting, slapping, pushing, choking, or any unwanted physical contact used to harm, intimidate, or control
  • Emotional & Verbal Abuse — Constant criticism, humiliation, threats, isolation from family and friends
  • Financial Abuse — Controlling access to money, preventing work or education, taking paychecks
  • Sexual Abuse — Any unwanted sexual contact or coercion, including within a relationship or marriage
  • Digital & Stalking — Monitoring phone or location, sending threatening messages, showing up uninvited
  • Reproductive Coercion — Pressuring pregnancy decisions, sabotaging birth control — this is abuse and it is illegal

Domestic Violence During Pregnancy & Postpartum

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times when domestic violence can begin or become more severe. Warning signs that abuse may be escalating:

  • Partner controls who is in the delivery room
  • Threats related to the baby or custody
  • Sabotaging prenatal appointments
  • Controlling feeding or care decisions
  • Isolation from family postpartum
  • Financial control escalates after birth

Basic Safety Planning

  1. Know Your Exits — Identify the safest ways to leave your home quickly
  2. Keep Important Documents Accessible — Copies of ID, birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance info, and any protection orders
  3. Have a Go Bag Ready — Medication, phone charger, cash, a change of clothes for you and your children
  4. Tell Someone You Trust — Let a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor know your situation
  5. Call a Hotline for a Personalized Plan — National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 · NYC: 1-800-621-4673

NYC Programs & Legal Help

  • NYC Family Justice Centers — Free legal, social, and health services · All 5 boroughs · Brooklyn: 718-250-5113 · Bronx: 718-508-1220 · Manhattan: 212-566-0054 · Queens: 718-575-4545 · Staten Island: 718-697-4300
  • Her Justice — Free legal help to women in poverty for DV, divorce, orders of protection, and immigration · herjustice.org
  • Sanctuary for Families — Legal, social, and economic empowerment for survivors, strong immigrant focus · sanctuaryforfamilies.org
  • Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) — DV support, safety planning, multilingual · Open to all immigrant families · aafscny.org