How many domestic violence resources are in Missouri?

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

Are domestic violence resources in Missouri free?

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

Which cities in Missouri have domestic violence resources?

Listings span cities including Jefferson City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Parkville, Springfield, Columbia.

What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Missouri?

Featured entries include Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Rose Brooks Center — Kansas City, Women's Safe House — St. Louis, Synergy Services, Harmony House — Springfield.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

8 of 18 Missouri 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.

Best Domestic Violence in Missouri — 18 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 Missouri

Missouri circuit courts hear family matters through family court divisions in each of its 45 judicial circuits. The Family Support Division runs child support enforcement under DSS. Kansas City, Saint Louis, Springfield, and Columbia are the largest metros. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, and the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence serve women.

18 Resources

1. Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence — Free

MOCADSV at 217 Oscar Drive in Jefferson City is the statewide coalition for Missouri's 90+ DV and sexual-assault programs. Staff publish the Missouri shelter directory, run training, and advocate at the Capitol. Call 573-634-4161 to find your county's program or to ask about statewide protective-order procedures.

573-634-4161 · 217 Oscar Dr, Suite A, Jefferson City, MO 65101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Rose Brooks Center — Kansas City — Free

Rose Brooks Center is Kansas City's largest DV shelter, with a 24/7 hotline at 816-861-6100, emergency beds, transitional housing, and a robust children's program. Hospital advocates respond at TMC and St. Luke's. Confidential street address withheld; PO box 320599 handles mail. Call any time day or night.

816-861-6100 · P.O. Box 320599, Kansas City, MO 64132 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

3. Women's Safe House — St. Louis — Free

The Women's Safe House runs St. Louis city's primary 24/7 DV shelter with confidential intake at 314-772-4535. Advocates assist with safety planning, transportation to shelter, replacement IDs, and orders of protection in the 22nd Circuit. Bilingual services available; location not publicly listed for survivor safety.

314-772-4535 · St. Louis, MO 63118 · 24/7 Hotline

4. Synergy Services — Free

Synergy Services in the KC northland (administrative office at 400 E 6th Street in Parkville) operates DV shelters in Platte and Clay counties plus the area's youth crisis services. The 24/7 hotline at 816-587-4100 also covers Missouri sex-trafficking response in the KC region.

816-587-4100 · 400 E 6th St, Parkville, MO 64152 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

5. Harmony House — Springfield — Free

Harmony House is the largest DV shelter in southwest Missouri, serving Greene, Christian, and surrounding counties from a confidential Springfield location. The 24/7 hotline at 417-837-7700 connects survivors to shelter intake, court advocacy at the Greene County Justice Center, and children's programming. Mail to PO Box 4307.

417-837-7700 · P.O. Box 4307, Springfield, MO 65808 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

6. True North of Columbia — Free

True North serves Boone, Audrain, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, and Randolph counties as the DV and sexual-violence agency for mid-Missouri. The 24/7 hotline at 573-875-1370 handles shelter intake, hospital response at University Hospital, and order-of-protection support at the 13th Circuit. Mail to PO Box 1367.

573-875-1370 · P.O. Box 1367, Columbia, MO 65205 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

7. ALIVE — Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments — Free

ALIVE serves the greater St. Louis region with a 24/7 hotline at 314-993-2777, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and dedicated counseling for adult and child survivors. Confidential location; mail to PO Box 11201 in Clayton. Court advocates accompany survivors at the 21st and 22nd Circuits.

314-993-2777 · P.O. Box 11201, St. Louis, MO 63105 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

8. Lafayette House — Joplin — Free

Lafayette House at 1809 S Connor Avenue in Joplin is the DV and substance-use shelter for Jasper, Newton, McDonald, and Barton counties in southwest Missouri. The 24/7 hotline at 417-782-1772 handles intake. Programs include a women's residential substance-use track for mothers fleeing abuse and addiction together.

417-782-1772 · 1809 S Connor Ave, Joplin, MO 64804 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

9. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

1-800-799-SAFE (7233) connects Missouri survivors 24/7 to trained advocates who can warm-transfer to the nearest Missouri shelter, walk through safety planning, and help understand orders of protection under RSMo Chapter 455. Text START to 88788 or chat online for non-voice support.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Loveisrespect — Free

Loveisrespect's 1-866-331-9474 line and text-LOVEIS-to-22522 service are 24/7 dating-abuse support for teens and young adults. Counselors can refer Missouri callers to local services including True North in Columbia or Rose Brooks in Kansas City. Free, confidential, and TTY-accessible.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

1-844-7NATIVE provides culturally appropriate DV and dating-violence support for Native American and Alaska Native survivors, including women connected to the Eastern Shawnee or Quapaw nations near southeast Missouri. Free, anonymous, and available daily 7am-10pm Central.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

NCADV coordinates state DV coalitions including MOCADSV. Resources cover federal funding policy, survivor scholarships, and economic-empowerment programs. Useful background reading for Missouri mothers researching the bigger picture beyond their immediate shelter intake.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Futures Without Violence — Free

Futures Without Violence develops the model curricula many Missouri DV programs use, including health-care–based screening protocols. Free downloads cover children's exposure to violence, workplace safety, and trauma-informed parenting that Missouri advocates may reference in court.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. DomesticShelters.org — Free

Searchable database of every DV shelter and program in the US, including all 90+ Missouri programs from Joplin to Hannibal. Filter by services (legal advocacy, transitional housing, LGBTQ-affirming, Spanish-speaking) before calling so your first intake conversation is more productive.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

API-GBV provides culturally specific resources and training for AAPI survivors and is the national connector to in-language advocates. Useful for Missouri mothers in the St. Louis and Kansas City AAPI communities seeking culturally responsive support beyond mainstream DV programs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Casa de Esperanza — Free

Casa de Esperanza's national Latin@ Network supports bilingual DV programs nationwide and provides training to Missouri advocates serving the Hispanic communities in Kansas City's Westside, south St. Louis, and southwest Missouri's poultry-industry towns. Resources available in Spanish.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

DOJ's OVW implements the Violence Against Women Act, funding many Missouri DV programs including MOCADSV. The site explains VAWA self-petition for immigrant survivors, federal protective-order full-faith-and-credit, and grant programs that fund Missouri shelter beds.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

RAINN's 1-800-656-HOPE line routes Missouri survivors to the nearest rape-crisis center — programs like the Mary Kay O'Connor Crisis Center in Springfield or the YWCA Healing Center in St. Louis. Online chat is available at rainn.org for survivors who cannot speak by phone.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Missouri?: Women's Corner tracks 18 domestic violence resources for women in Missouri.
Are domestic violence resources in Missouri free?: 18 of the 18 listed domestic violence resources in Missouri are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Missouri have domestic violence resources?: Listings span cities including Jefferson City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Parkville, Springfield, Columbia.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Missouri?: Featured entries include Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Rose Brooks Center — Kansas City, Women's Safe House — St. Louis, Synergy Services, Harmony House — Springfield.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 8 of 18 Missouri 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.