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LGBTQ+ Resources

Domestic Violence Hotlines

You are not alone. We are here to help.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you are in an abusive relationship, or know someone who is, contact your local 24-hour domestic violence hotline to learn about all of your options, including shelter, legal assistance, support groups, and more. The hotline staff can help you create a safety plan personalized for your situation.

24-hour Hotlines

New Castle County: 302-762-6110

Kent & Sussex Counties: 302-422-8058

Abriendo Puertas: 302-745-9874

What happens if I call a domestic violence hotline?

Hotlines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Trained staff (often called advocates) from domestic violence programs answer hotline calls and provide support.  Anyone can call a hotline.  If a person calls a domestic violence hotline, they will be connected to an advocate that can:

  • Provide them information about domestic violence
  • Provide confidential support through trained staff
  • Help them talk through what happened to them
  • Explain the options and resources available for victims, including shelter and community advocacy services
  • Answer questions they may have
  • Help them to understand and develop a safety plan
  • Help a victim get connected with domestic violence shelters

How do domestic violence programs help?

In Delaware, there are community-based programs that provide services specifically to domestic violence victims/survivors and their families, including:

  • Emergency shelter and housing for victims and their children
  • Support with understanding and navigating through the legal systems
  • Help with child care and visitation
  • Counseling and support groups for victims and children
  • Intervention programs for perpetrators

Delaware’s Domestic Violence programs can be reached through their hotline numbers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How can I talk about domestic violence with my loved ones?

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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