If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, NYC can help. They can provide shelter, legal help, information about public benefits, and counseling.
What help can I get?
If you’re experiencing domestic violence, you can call NYC’s 24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-621-4673, or TTY: 866-604-5350 if you’re hearing impaired. You can also call 311 and ask for “the hotline.” Call 911 if you are in danger and need immediate help.
If you’re experiencing domestic violence and want in-person help, visit a NYC Family Justice Center (FJC). They can provide counseling, legal help, and information about public benefits.
- All Centers are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You do not need an appointment. Services are free and confidential.
- Staff speak more than 30 languages and interpreters are available at every Center
- Child care for ages three and up is available while you’re visiting a Center.
- People of all languages, income levels, gender identities, and immigration status are welcome.
If you need temporary housing or emergency shelter, there are programs for domestic violence survivors. Project No Violence Again (NoVA) is on the sixth floor of the Prevention Assistance & Temporary Housing (PATH) intake center in the Bronx. The facility is open seven days a week and provides assessment, placement, and referrals.
If you need domestic violence resources in school, the Teen Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (Teen RAPP) can help. Their classes help students identify and change destructive behavior patterns. Teen RAPP is in almost 100 middle schools and high schools.
How do I get started?
- Go to Access NYC and fill out a short online survey. The survey results will let you know what City benefits you’re eligible for, including some of the ones listed here. Follow the instructions on the result page to apply for benefits. You can also email your results to City staff at your child’s school or your shelter for help.
- Speak to City staff who can help. In schools, there may be an STH Community Coordinator or STH School-Based Liaison who can answer questions. If your child’s school doesn’t have those roles, reach out to the school’s regional manager. In a shelter, speak with a social worker, case manager, or family assistant.
- Gather your documents. You may need certain documents to apply for services. Common ones include proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of income. Don’t let missing documents keep you from applying. City staff can help you replace missing documents.
Undocumented immigrants can access many city services, regardless of their status. City employees will not ask about immigration status unless it is necessary to do their jobs. They must keep information about immigration status confidential.
What benefits and programs does NYC offer?
Help for survivors of dating, domestic, and gender-based violence
NYC Family Justice Centers
Family Services | NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV)
Survivors of sexual violence, human trafficking, stalking, and intimate partner and family violence can get free and confidential services at NYC FJCs.
