Best Domestic Violence in Mississippi — 16 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 Mississippi

Mississippi chancery courts handle divorce and custody in all 82 counties, with county courts handling some child support matters. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under MDHS. Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, and Hattiesburg are the largest cities. Mississippi Center for Justice, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, and the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.

16 Resources

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

24/7 confidential support for women experiencing domestic violence. Service is administered statewide in Mississippi, with county-level access points and intake handled by the central office line. Reach the office at 800-799-7233; early-morning calls land you faster than mid-afternoon ones. MDHS, Medicaid Mississippi, and TANF coordinators can usually answer follow-up eligibility questions. Available 24/7 at no cost.

800-799-7233 · Statewide Phone Service · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

Statewide coalition connecting women with local DV resources. Shelter intake in Mississippi is normally by phone after a brief screening, not walk-in. 800-898-3234 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. Mississippi mothers in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and the Delta all use this resource regularly. Available 24/7 at no cost.

800-898-3234 · Jackson, MS · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

3. Catholic Charities — Domestic Violence Shelter (Jackson) — Free

Emergency shelter and support for DV survivors in Jackson. Shelter intake in Mississippi is normally by phone after a brief screening, not walk-in. Reach the office at 601-366-0222; early-morning calls land you faster than mid-afternoon ones. Pair it with a 211 referral if you need a second program in the same conversation. Available 24/7 at no cost.

601-366-0222 · Jackson, MS (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

4. Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence — Free

Shelter and services for DV survivors on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Shelter intake in Mississippi is normally by phone after a brief screening, not walk-in. 228-436-3809 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. Choctaw community members and rural Mississippi families can both access the same intake process. Available 24/7 at no cost.

228-436-3809 · Biloxi, MS (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline

5. S.A.F.E. Inc. — Tupelo — Free

Emergency shelter for women fleeing DV in northeast Mississippi. Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence coordinates the state's certified shelter network. Reach the office at 662-841-2273; early-morning calls land you faster than mid-afternoon ones. Choctaw community members and rural Mississippi families can both access the same intake process. Available 24/7 at no cost.

662-841-2273 · Tupelo, MS (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline

6. Care Lodge — Meridian — Free

Shelter and crisis services for DV and sexual assault survivors. Mississippi chancery courts issue civil domestic-abuse protection orders; justice courts handle emergency ex parte orders. 601-693-4673 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. MDHS, Medicaid Mississippi, and TANF coordinators can usually answer follow-up eligibility questions. Available 24/7 at no cost.

601-693-4673 · Meridian, MS (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

7. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

1-800-799-SAFE (7233) — 24/7 free confidential help for victims of domestic abuse. Call, text START to 88788, or chat online for women experiencing abuse and their children. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.thehotline.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Loveisrespect — Free

1-866-331-9474 — 24/7 support for young people experiencing dating abuse. Text LOVEIS to 22522 or chat online for women experiencing abuse and their children. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.loveisrespect.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

1-844-7NATIVE — culturally appropriate domestic and dating violence helpline for Native Americans for women experiencing abuse and their children. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit strongheartshelpline.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

NCADV — coalition of state DV coalitions. Survivor resources, policy advocacy, and safety planning. A useful resource to read before contacting a Mississippi agency, so you arrive with a sharper question and clearer expectations. Visit ncadv.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Futures Without Violence — Free

National nonprofit working to prevent and end violence against women and children. Resources and training. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.futureswithoutviolence.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. DomesticShelters.org — Free

Searchable database of every domestic violence shelter and program in the US — find help near you for women experiencing abuse and their children. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.domesticshelters.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

Resources and culturally specific support for AAPI women experiencing violence. A useful resource to read before contacting a Mississippi agency, so you arrive with a sharper question and clearer expectations. Visit www.api-gbv.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Mississippi mothers in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and the Delta all use this resource regularly. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Casa de Esperanza — Free

Mobilizing Latinas and Latin@ communities to end gender-based violence. Bilingual resources and shelter for women experiencing abuse and their children. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit casadeesperanza.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

US Department of Justice office implementing the Violence Against Women Act. Funding and resources. A useful resource to read before contacting a Mississippi agency, so you arrive with a sharper question and clearer expectations. Visit www.justice.gov/ovw for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

1-800-656-HOPE — Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. 24/7 free confidential support for sexual assault survivors. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.rainn.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Mississippi?
Women's Corner tracks 16 domestic violence resources for women in Mississippi.
Are domestic violence resources in Mississippi free?
16 of the 16 listed domestic violence resources in Mississippi are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Mississippi have domestic violence resources?
Listings span cities including Jackson, Biloxi, Tupelo, Meridian.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Mississippi?
Featured entries include National Domestic Violence Hotline, Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Catholic Charities — Domestic Violence Shelter (Jackson), Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, S.A.F.E. Inc. — Tupelo.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 16 Mississippi domestic violence listings include 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.