Find Domestic Violence support services by country

Note: Links and resources may change over time, so please check details directly with the service provider.

If you’re experiencing abuse or recognising abusive behaviours in yourself, support is available. Depending on where you live, different services may be accessible to you. We’ve created a simple, country-specific directory to help you get started.

Australia

Emergency Support: Call 000 immediately if you are in danger.

Support Services

• 1800RESPECT – National 24/7 helpline offering confidential counselling, safety planning, and referrals.
• Ask Izzy – Search tool to access national and local domestic violence and housing resources.
• Daisy App – Connects women to local specialist domestic and family violence services.
• MensLine Australia – Support for men experiencing relationship or mental health challenges.
• Say It Out Loud – LGBTQ+ inclusive relationship and domestic violence support.
• Services Australia – Government crisis payments, temporary accommodation, and referral services.

Worried About Someone’s History?

• Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (SA Police) – Request information from the police about a partner’s history of abuse (South Australia; check local state police for availability).

If You Recognise Abusive Behaviour in Yourself

• No to Violence – Counselling and behaviour change programmes for men seeking to stop using violence.

Canada

Emergency Support: Call 911 immediately for emergency assistance.

Support Services

• Sheltersafe.ca – Connects women and children to emergency shelters across Canada.
• Victim Services Directory – Find crisis intervention, counselling, legal assistance, and local resources.
• Services for Family Violence (Canada.ca) – Official government directory of family violence prevention services.
• Help with Family Violence (Justice Canada) – Government guidance on recognising abuse, legal rights, and finding help.
• Men & Boys Program – Information and support resources for male survivors of intimate partner violence.

Worried About Someone’s History?

• Check with your local police service regarding the Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) to request information about a partner’s abusive history.

If You Recognise Abusive Behaviour in Yourself

• Domestic Violence Intervention Program (Options) – Therapeutic intervention services for perpetrators of domestic violence (limited to specific regions, e.g., British Columbia).

If you are looking to change abusive behaviours and are located outside these specific service areas, visit 211.ca to be connected to local provincial intervention and support programmes across Canada.

Ireland

Emergency Support: Call 999 or 112 immediately for emergency assistance.

Support Services

• Women’s Aid Ireland – National 24/7 helpline and support for women experiencing domestic abuse.
• Men’s Aid Ireland – Confidential support services for men experiencing domestic violence.
• Safe Ireland – National network listing local domestic violence units and refuges across Ireland.
• LGBT Ireland – Support services for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing abuse.

If You Recognise Abusive Behaviour in Yourself

• MOVE Ireland – Men Overcoming Violence provides behaviour-change programmes for men who have been abusive in relationships.

New Zealand

Emergency Support: Call 111 immediately. If it’s unsafe to speak, stay silent and follow the operator’s instructions (i.e. on mobile, press 55 when prompted)

To access support discreetly without leaving traces in your web history, look for the Shielded Site icon (a small green shield) located in the footer of many major New Zealand websites.

Support Services

• Women’s Refuge NZ – 24/7 support and safe accommodation for women and children.
• Shine – Specialist domestic abuse support, helplines, and advocate services.
• Are You OK – National information and support helpline for anyone affected by family violence.
• Family Violence Specialist Services (Justice NZ) – Official information and links to specialist family violence support services across New Zealand.

Worried About Someone’s History?

• Under the Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme, you can ask NZ Police for information about a partner’s history of family violence.

If You Recognise Abusive Behaviour in Yourself

• Change is Possible – Anonymous 24/7 support and tools for individuals seeking to change harmful behaviours.

South Africa

Emergency Support: Call 10111 for police or contact the GBV Command Centre at 0800 428 428.

Support Services

• POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse) – Offers counselling, legal aid, and shelter services for women.
• TEARS Foundation – 24/7 crisis intervention and emergency support.
• Lifeline South Africa – Confidential national counselling and crisis intervention helpline.
• GBV Assistance Directory (Gov.za) – Official portal for finding victim assistance organisations.

If You Recognise Abusive Behaviour in Yourself

• NICRO – National organisation providing offender intervention and domestic violence perpetrator programmes.

United Kingdom

Emergency Support: Call 999 immediately. On mobile, if you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted (Silent Solution).

Support Services

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) – 24/7 free, confidential helpline for women.
• Women’s Aid UK – Live chat support, safety guides, and local refuge directories.
• Men’s Advice Line – Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.
• Galop – Specialized support helpline for LGBTQ+ survivors of abuse.
• Bright Sky App – Practical directory and safety planning tool for anyone impacted by domestic abuse.
• UK Safe Spaces – Find participating local pharmacies offering private consultation rooms to call for help.
• Domestic Abuse: How to Get Help (Gov.uk) – Official UK government portal for victim guidance and local police assistance.

Worried About Someone’s History?

• Under Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme), you can ask the police for information about a current or former partner’s history of abusive or violent behaviour.

If You Recognise Abusive Behaviour in Yourself

• Respect Phoneline – Confidential support for individuals wanting to stop being abusive or controlling.

United States

Emergency Support: Call 911 immediately. On mobile, if you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted (Silent Solution).

Support Services

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – 24/7 confidential phone, text, and live chat support.
• DomesticShelters.org – Searchable database of shelters, programmes, and legal resources across the U.S.
• StrongHearts Native Helpline – Confidential, culturally centered support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
• VictimConnect Resource Center – Confidential referral services for crime victims across the nation.
• Office on Violence Against Women (DOJ) – Federal resources, legal guidance, and intervention educational materials.

Zimbabwe

Emergency Support: Call 999 for Police Emergency. Toll-free numbers: 112 (Econet) or 114 (NetOne). View Emergency Services Information.

Support Services

• Musasa GBV Support – Leading national organisation providing counselling, temporary shelter, legal aid, and emergency medical services for gender-based violence survivors.

Other Countries

Looking for support outside these regions? Visit the NO MORE Global Directory to find domestic violence helplines and crisis intervention services worldwide.

We hope this resource page has helped guide you toward the support you need. Wherever you are in your journey, whether seeking safety or choosing to change, know that help exists and you are not alone.