Domestic Violence Programs and Shelters
Safety is a huge concern for victims of intimate partner violence. Some victims may need help figuring out what they can do. Others may need help finding a safe place to go to escape their abusive partners. Domestic Violence programs can offer these crime victims and their children supportive services and a safe place to stay for a night, a week, or even a few months.
Every county in NY offers emergency help to victims of intimate partner violence and their children. In addition to emergency shelter, Domestic Violence Programs also offer:
- Support groups
- Legal advocacy (information and help with the legal process)
- One-on-one counseling
- Safety planning
- Crisis help through a hotline
- Information and referral
- Counseling to victims’ children
Some Programs offer transitional housing – a place where you and your children can stay for months or a few years.
Who can stay at a domestic violence shelter or seek domestic violence services?
In NY, anyone who is a victim of intimate partner violence may get help from a domestic violence program or shelter. Help is available regardless of your gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or other status. If you have children, they can get help and stay with you. Some shelters accept pets, or they can help arrange for your pets to stay at a pet shelter. Service or companion animals can stay with you at most shelters.
If you are a LGBTQ+ individual and are refused shelter, please contact Lettie Dickerson at Empire Justice Center at ldickerson@empirejustice.org, or a member of the NYS LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence Network.
What are my rights if I stay at the shelter?
If you are staying in a domestic violence shelter, they must give you a list of your rights. Some of your rights include:
- The right to receive confidential treatment. This means the shelter cannot tell anyone that you are staying there without your permission.
- The right to stay in a safe place.
- The right to leave and return to the shelter as long as you obey the shelter program’s rules.
- The right to receive fair and respectful treatment.
- The right to receive and send mail.
- The right to manage your own finances.
- The right to religious freedom.
Visit the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence website for Domestic Violence Shelters and Programs in your county.