Important — Please Read
Women Thrive is a journalism and advocacy resource. We do not provide direct crisis services. All numbers below are independently verified and updated regularly, but always confirm with local services. Numbers may change — if you find an error, please contact us. For the most comprehensive international directory, visit the NO MORE Global Directory (UN & World Bank partner).
Frequently Asked Questions
Call emergency services immediately. USA/Canada: 911. UK: 999. Australia: 000. Most of Europe and internationally: 112. If you cannot speak safely, stay on the line — dispatchers are trained to respond without verbal confirmation. In the UK, call 999 and press 5 to trigger the Silent Solution. Leave the house if it is safe to do so. Take your children, ID, medication, and any important documents if you can. Go to a neighbour, public place, or police station.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can also text START to 88788 if you cannot call safely. For TTY users: 1-800-787-3224. Online chat is available at thehotline.org. The line is available in English and Spanish with translation services for many other languages.
Many hotlines now offer text and chat alternatives specifically for this situation. In the USA, text START to 88788 (National DV Hotline) or chat at thehotline.org. In the UK, the Refuge website has a live chat at nationaldahelpline.org.uk. In Australia, use the 1800RESPECT chat at 1800respect.org.au. You can also pretend to call for a takeaway delivery or a medical appointment — saying things like "Is the delivery coming today?" may be enough to signal distress to a trained advocate.
Most domestic violence hotlines are confidential — they will not contact your abuser, your employer, or report your call without your consent (except in cases of immediate risk to life or child safeguarding, which varies by jurisdiction). Always ask the advocate at the start of your call what their confidentiality policy is. If you are worried about your call history, most smartphones allow you to delete individual call records. You can also call from a public phone or a friend's device.
Domestic violence is not limited to physical assault. It includes emotional abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, sexual coercion within a relationship, threats, intimidation, isolation from friends and family, and monitoring of your phone, location, or finances. If you are afraid of your partner or former partner, that is enough reason to call. You do not need to wait until it becomes physical, and you do not need to have injuries to qualify for support.