How many domestic violence resources are in Alabama?

Women's Corner tracks 18 verified domestic violence resources for women in Alabama.

Are domestic violence resources in Alabama free?

18 of the 18 listed domestic violence resources in Alabama are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Alabama have domestic violence resources?

Listings span cities including Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Florence.

What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Alabama?

Featured entries include Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline, Family Sunshine Center — Montgomery, Penelope House — Mobile, Crisis Services of North Alabama — Huntsville.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

8 of 18 Alabama domestic violence listings include verified phone numbers.

How do I get a restraining order?

Go to your county's family or civil courthouse and ask the clerk for a 'protective order' or 'order of protection' petition — no attorney or filing fee required. Temporary ex parte orders can be issued the same day. A full hearing follows within 10–21 days. Court advocates and DV agencies help fill out forms; bring any evidence (texts, photos, police reports).

Where can I go right now if I'm not safe?

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788) — they connect you to your nearest shelter, arrange emergency transport, and help with a safety plan. Shelters are confidential, free, and 24/7. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 and ask for a DV advocate at the scene.

Will the shelter take my kids?

Yes. Domestic violence shelters accept women with children — most accommodate boys up to age 17 (a few have age limits around 12–13 for older boys, and will arrange alternate placement nearby). Pets are increasingly welcome through programs like RedRover and Sheltering Animals & Families Together. Bring kids' birth certificates, school records, and any medications if you can.

Is the hotline really free and confidential?

Yes — the National DV Hotline and all state DV hotlines are free, confidential, anonymous, available 24/7, and offered in 200+ languages. Advocates don't report to police, immigration, or CPS unless you request it (mandatory reporting applies only to active child abuse). You can call to plan, vent, or just ask questions before deciding anything.

Best Domestic Violence in Alabama — 18 verified resources

About Domestic Violence for Women

Domestic violence services for women are anchored by the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and a state coalition in every state coordinated through the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). VAWA funds shelters, transitional housing, legal services, and immigration relief (U-visa, T-visa, VAWA self-petition). Survivors can obtain civil protective orders, address-confidentiality through state ACP programs, and victim advocates through local prosecutor offices. The National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) and StrongHearts Native Helpline serve specific survivor populations. This directory includes hotlines, shelters, state DV coalitions, and protective order resources.

Domestic Violence in Alabama

Alabama family law runs through circuit courts in each of its 67 counties, with the Alabama Department of Human Resources handling child support enforcement. Major metros include Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville. Women can access help through Legal Services Alabama and the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

18 Resources

1. Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence coordinates a statewide network of DV programs, provides training for advocates, and advocates for policy changes that protect survivors. ACADV's website at acadv.org lists all member programs by county, including emergency shelters, legal advocacy, and counseling. Call 334-832-4842 or email info@acadv.org. Office hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Statewide hotline referrals available.

334-832-4842 · PO Box 4762, Montgomery, AL 36104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org 24/7 for free confidential crisis support. Trained advocates help women with safety planning, understand their options, identify local shelters, and navigate legal protections. Available in over 200 languages. TTY: 1-800-787-3224. Advocates do not require callers to take any specific action and offer nonjudgmental support.

800-799-7233 · National Service · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. Family Sunshine Center — Montgomery — Free

Family Sunshine Center provides 24/7 emergency shelter, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and children's programming for DV survivors in the Montgomery area. The 24/7 hotline at 334-263-0218 connects women with advocates who can arrange shelter and safety planning. Shelter location is confidential. Services are free for qualifying survivors. Children are welcome. Transportation assistance may be available.

334-263-0218 · Montgomery, AL (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

4. Penelope House — Mobile — Free

Penelope House provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, counseling, and children's services for DV survivors in the Mobile area. Call the 24/7 hotline at 251-342-8994 to speak with an advocate and arrange emergency placement. All services are free and confidential. Shelter address is kept confidential for safety. Bring children, medications, and any important documents if possible.

251-342-8994 · Mobile, AL (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

5. Crisis Services of North Alabama — Huntsville — Free

Crisis Services of North Alabama provides emergency shelter, a 24/7 crisis hotline, legal advocacy, counseling, and children's services for DV survivors in the Huntsville and northern Alabama region. Call 256-539-1000 any time to speak with a crisis advocate. Shelter location is confidential. Services are free to survivors. Advocates can help with protective orders, safety planning, and local referrals.

256-539-1000 · Huntsville, AL (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

6. Turning Point — Tuscaloosa — Free

Turning Point provides emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, and support services for DV survivors in the Tuscaloosa area. Call the 24/7 hotline at 205-758-0808 to speak with an advocate who can arrange shelter placement and safety planning. All services are free and confidential. Children may accompany their mothers. Advocates help women navigate protective order and court processes.

205-758-0808 · Tuscaloosa, AL (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

7. Safe Place of the Shoals — Florence — Free

Safe Place of the Shoals provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and support services for DV survivors in the Shoals area of northwest Alabama. Call the 24/7 hotline at 256-767-6210 to reach a crisis advocate for immediate assistance and shelter placement. All services are free and confidential to qualifying survivors. Children are welcome. Safety planning assistance provided.

256-767-6210 · Florence, AL (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline

8. One Place Family Justice Center — Montgomery — Free

One Place Family Justice Center is a one-stop service hub for DV survivors in Montgomery, combining legal help, law enforcement access, victim advocacy, mental health counseling, and child services under one roof. Women do not need to be in immediate crisis to access services. Call 334-262-7378 for an appointment. Located at 501 W Fairview Ave, Montgomery. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

334-262-7378 · 501 W Fairview Ave, Montgomery, AL 36105 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

The National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 is available 24/7 for free, confidential help. Women can also text START to 88788 or chat at thehotline.org. Trained advocates provide safety planning, emotional support, local shelter referrals, and guidance on legal options. Available in over 200 languages. No caller is required to take action; advocates support each woman at her own pace.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Loveisrespect — Free

Loveisrespect provides 24/7 support for young women experiencing dating abuse. Call 1-866-331-9474, text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat at loveisrespect.org. Peer advocates are specially trained to help teens and young adults identify abuse patterns, create safety plans, and connect with local resources. Confidential and free. Available in English and Spanish. No minimum age requirement.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483 provides culturally appropriate, confidential support for Native American women experiencing domestic or dating violence. Advocates understand tribal sovereignty, cultural dynamics, and jurisdictional complexities affecting Native survivors. Available daily 7am-10pm CT. Chat available at strongheartshelpline.org. Free and anonymous. Referrals to tribally specific resources provided.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence at ncadv.org offers survivor resources, safety planning guides, state-by-state statistics, and policy advocacy tools. Women can find their state DV coalition, access fact sheets on types of abuse, and learn about protective order processes. NCADV's Get Help page links to emergency shelters and hotlines. Free online resource available 24/7.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Futures Without Violence — Free

Futures Without Violence is a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending violence against women and children through programs, policy, and training. Their website at futureswithoutviolence.org offers research-based resources for survivors, advocates, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Women can access safety planning tools, information on trauma-informed care, and policy updates. Free online resource.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. DomesticShelters.org — Free

DomesticShelters.org provides the most comprehensive searchable database of domestic violence shelters, hotlines, and programs across the US. Women can search by zip code to find the nearest emergency shelter, transitional housing program, or DV service provider. Each listing includes contact information, services offered, and bed availability where reported. Free to search online 24/7 at domesticshelters.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence — Free

The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence provides culturally specific resources and support for Asian American and Pacific Islander women experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. Visit api-gbv.org for a directory of culturally competent programs, research reports, and multilingual resources. Advocates and service providers serving AAPI communities can also access training and technical assistance.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Casa de Esperanza — Free

Casa de Esperanza mobilizes Latin communities to end domestic violence through bilingual resources, culturally grounded programs, and policy advocacy. Their national resource center at casadeesperanza.org provides Spanish-language safety planning guides, a bilingual hotline directory, training materials for advocates, and tools to help Latina women understand immigration protections under VAWA. Free to access online.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) — Free

The US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women implements the Violence Against Women Act, funding DV shelters, rape crisis centers, legal advocacy, and transitional housing programs nationwide. Visit justice.gov/ovw to find funded programs in your area, access survivor resources, and learn about your legal rights under federal law. Their website includes guides on VAWA immigration relief for foreign-national survivors.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE), available 24/7. Women can also chat confidentially at rainn.org/get-help. Trained staff connect survivors with local rape crisis centers, explain reporting options, provide emotional support, and guide women through forensic exam processes. RAINN also offers resources specifically for military personnel, college students, and LGBTQ+ survivors.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Alabama?: Women's Corner tracks 18 verified domestic violence resources for women in Alabama.
Are domestic violence resources in Alabama free?: 18 of the 18 listed domestic violence resources in Alabama are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Alabama have domestic violence resources?: Listings span cities including Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Florence.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Alabama?: Featured entries include Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline, Family Sunshine Center — Montgomery, Penelope House — Mobile, Crisis Services of North Alabama — Huntsville.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 8 of 18 Alabama domestic violence listings include verified phone numbers.
How do I get a restraining order?: Go to your county's family or civil courthouse and ask the clerk for a 'protective order' or 'order of protection' petition — no attorney or filing fee required. Temporary ex parte orders can be issued the same day. A full hearing follows within 10–21 days. Court advocates and DV agencies help fill out forms; bring any evidence (texts, photos, police reports).
Where can I go right now if I'm not safe?: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788) — they connect you to your nearest shelter, arrange emergency transport, and help with a safety plan. Shelters are confidential, free, and 24/7. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 and ask for a DV advocate at the scene.
Will the shelter take my kids?: Yes. Domestic violence shelters accept women with children — most accommodate boys up to age 17 (a few have age limits around 12–13 for older boys, and will arrange alternate placement nearby). Pets are increasingly welcome through programs like RedRover and Sheltering Animals & Families Together. Bring kids' birth certificates, school records, and any medications if you can.
Is the hotline really free and confidential?: Yes — the National DV Hotline and all state DV hotlines are free, confidential, anonymous, available 24/7, and offered in 200+ languages. Advocates don't report to police, immigration, or CPS unless you request it (mandatory reporting applies only to active child abuse). You can call to plan, vent, or just ask questions before deciding anything.