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LGBTQ+ Resources

Counseling and Support Services

Counseling

After someone has experienced trauma like domestic violence, it might be hard for them to feel safe again. Counseling can help people feel safe and stable in their lives after experiencing trauma. 

For some people, they may feel more comfortable working one-on-one with a counselor.  For others, they may feel more comfortable in a group of other people who have had similar experiences.

Counseling services are available for children, adults, and families. If someone is already working with an advocate, the advocate can make a referral to a program that would be most appropriate for their situation.

Advocacy and Support

It can be hard to figure out where to start looking for help.  Advocates can help people connect to resources and supportive services.  They can be found in shelters, police stations, courthouses, and community organizations.  

New Castle County Resources

  • 302-762-8989
    Victim counseling and support groups, treatment services for chemically dependent women, Helping Children Heal Program (individual, group & family counseling for children who have witnessed domestic violence).

  • 302-757-2137 hablamos español
    Community-based support – meets individuals wherever they feel safe and comfortable. Safety planning, connection to social services and health care, transportation, education and empowerment, general care management, and support. Bilingual services.

  • 302-658-7174 ext. 15
    Services for crime victims who reside in New Castle County, over 50 years of age, who have experienced any type of crime including domestic violence or elder abuse

  • 302-576-4136 hablamos español
    Amanecer Counseling & Resource Center provides bilingual, trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health counseling and resources to the community including supervision & training to mental health providers.

  • 302-655-7338 hablamos español
    Victim support groups, bilingual services, support services

  • 302-658-7110 ext. 204
    Victim support groups, case management, safety planning, counseling, referrals, educational outreach presentations on domestic violence, transitional housing

  • CHILD, Inc.

    302-762-6110
    Emergency shelter & transitional services, housing assistance, educational services, bilingual services, court advocacy.

Kent and Sussex County Resources

Our Member Organizations

  • Alert! Computer use can be monitored.

    Computer Safety

    WARNING!

    If you are being stalked or abused, take steps to keep your abuser from knowing you are looking for help. Please use a safer computer, or call 911, one of Delaware's local hotlines at 302-762-6110 for New Castle County or 302-422-8058 for Kent & Sussex Counties , or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.

    EMERGENCY "QUICK ESCAPE" BUTTON

    There is a red Quick Escape button in the lower right-hand corner of every page on this website.
    Click this button if your abuser enters the room while you are viewing this website. It will close this website and redirect your browser to a neutral page.

    Clean up Your Online Path

    Internet Safety

    Everything you do online is recorded. It is IMPOSSIBLE to clear your tracks completely. Your computer stores hundreds of bits of information about everything you do with your computer, including information about which websites you've visited, your passwords, and what your emails say. An abuser can easily track the websites you visit or read your email messages.

    If you suspect your activities are being monitored, they probably are. Abusers are often controlling and want to know your every move. You don’t need to be a computer programmer or have special skills to monitor someone’s computer activities – anyone can do it and there are many ways to monitor your activities - even without having direct access to your computer. Using a separate computer is best, but you can protect yourself at home by familiarizing yourself with processes like private browsing, deleting your browser history, clearing your cache and deleting cookies.

    You can be tracked

    Your abuser can track your online actions – there is nothing you can do to remove your tracks completely. If you try to erase your tracks, your abuser might become suspicious.
    If you think you might be in danger, use a computer at a public library, internet cafe or a trusted friend’s house. If your abuser sends you email, do not open it on those computers.

    If you need help now, call 911 or the
    New Castle County Domestic Violence Hotline: 302-762-6110
    Kent & Sussex County Domestic Violence Hotline: 302-422-8058
    Kent & Sussex County Bi-lingual Domestic Violence Hotline: 302-745-9874
    US National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
    US National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
    US National Teen Dating Violence Helpline 1-866-331-9474

    Email Safety

    Email is not a safe or confidential way to communicate.

    Sending email is like sending a postcard through the mail. Anyone along the path can read what it says. If you need to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life, if possible, please call a hotline instead.

    If you must use email to discuss your situation we suggest you use an account that your abuser doesn't know about. Set up a new account with a free email service like hotmail, yahoo, or gmail.

    Password Safety

    Be smart about passwords to keep your abuser out of your accounts.

    DO NOT use a name or password that contains any identifying information (no names, nicknames, initials, birthdates, zipcodes, etc.) Instead use a name and password that contains a random mix of letters, CAPITAL letters and numbers (for example, HJ3v67Tn) -

    Make sure you can remember the user name and password. If you must write it down somewhere, put it in a place your abuser is unlikely to find it.

    If the computer asks if you would like it to save your password or login information tell it NO.

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