How many domestic violence resources are in Delaware?

Women's Corner tracks 16 domestic violence resources for women in Delaware.

Are domestic violence resources in Delaware free?

16 of the 16 listed domestic violence resources in Delaware are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Delaware have domestic violence resources?

Listings span cities including Wilmington.

What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Delaware?

Featured entries include National Domestic Violence Hotline, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV), CHILD Inc. — New Castle County, Delaware Department of Justice — Victim Services, Delaware Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

6 of 16 Delaware 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 Delaware — 16 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 Delaware

Delaware Family Court handles custody, visitation, and child support statewide through three county courthouses (New Castle, Kent, Sussex). The Division of Child Support Services operates under DSS. Wilmington and Dover are the population centers. Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI), Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, and the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.

16 Resources

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

Calling 800-799-7233 or chatting at thehotline.org connects you to a trained advocate 24/7 who can do safety planning, search local shelter beds in Delaware, and translate in 200+ languages. Advocates do not require ID or insurance, and conversations are confidential.

800-799-7233 · Statewide Phone/Chat Service · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) — Free

DCADV is the statewide policy coalition coordinating Delaware's DV programs, training advocates, and running prevention campaigns. The 100 W 10th St Wilmington office can route you to the nearest shelter and lead advocate for your county; call 302-658-2958 or email dcadv@dcadv.org.

302-658-2958 · 100 W 10th St Suite 903, Wilmington, DE 19801 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. CHILD Inc. — New Castle County — Free

CHILD Inc. operates the only DV emergency shelter in New Castle County, with confidential location, 24/7 intake, on-site advocacy, and court accompaniment for PFA hearings. Call the 24-hour line at 302-762-6110 to request a bed or transport; children of any age are welcome with their mother.

302-762-6110 · Confidential Location — New Castle County · 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Delaware Department of Justice — Victim Services — Free

The Attorney General's Victim Services Unit at 820 N French St Wilmington offers victim advocates, crime-victim compensation applications, and notification of offender status. Advocates accompany survivors to court and help navigate the criminal process. Call 302-577-8500 to request a case advocate.

302-577-8500 · 820 N French St, Wilmington, DE 19801 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

5. Delaware Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders — Free

Family Court at 500 N King St Wilmington (and Dover and Georgetown) issues PFA orders against intimate partners and family members. Emergency ex parte orders are available the same day you file; full hearings are scheduled within 10 days. Filing is free; call 302-255-0300 or arrive when court opens at 8:30am.

302-255-0300 · 500 N King St, Wilmington, DE 19801 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm; Emergency 24/7 · Visit Website

6. ContactLifeline — Crisis Text & Chat — Free

ContactLifeline at 800-262-9800 is Delaware's longstanding crisis line, staffed 24/7 by trained volunteers handling suicide, DV, and emotional-distress calls. Useful when 988 wait times are long or when a caller wants a Delaware-based listener familiar with local resources.

800-262-9800 · Statewide Service · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org reaches the same network of advocates 24/7. Useful when phone is monitored — texting and chat leave no audible trail and can be deleted from device history immediately.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Loveisrespect — Free

1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522 connects teens and young adults to advocates trained in dating abuse, including digital abuse and reproductive coercion. Useful for Delaware mothers worried about a daughter in an unhealthy first relationship.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

1-844-7NATIVE provides culturally specific DV and dating-abuse support to Native American callers, including referrals to tribal advocates and victim services. Important for Indigenous mothers in Delaware whose tribal affiliations may be regional.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

NCADV is the national association of state DV coalitions including DCADV. The site publishes survivor safety-planning materials, firearm-surrender policy explainers, and state-by-state law comparisons useful for mothers thinking about relocating.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Futures Without Violence — Free

Futures Without Violence develops the evidence-based curricula many DV shelters and pediatric clinics use to screen for abuse. Their public materials are useful for Delaware mothers wanting to understand coercive-control patterns and how children are affected.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. DomesticShelters.org — Free

A searchable database of every DV shelter in the US with current bed counts, accepted populations (women only vs. families vs. LGBTQ-inclusive), and services. Useful when CHILD Inc. is at capacity and a Delaware mother needs to relocate to a different region.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

API-GBV provides culturally specific resources for AAPI survivors, including translated safety-planning materials and a directory of API-serving DV programs. Important for Delaware's growing immigrant communities where culture-of-origin shame and language access are barriers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Casa de Esperanza — Free

Casa de Esperanza runs the National Latin@ Network providing bilingual DV resources and shelter referrals tailored to Latin American immigrant survivors. Many materials available in Spanish; useful complement to Delaware's LACC for survivors needing both language access and DV-specific help.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

OVW administers VAWA grant funding to states, including funds that flow to DCADV and CHILD Inc. The site explains what VAWA-funded services every survivor is entitled to, including immigration relief under VAWA self-petition for abused noncitizen spouses.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

1-800-656-HOPE or rainn.org chat connects survivors of sexual violence to local rape crisis centers 24/7, including Delaware's affiliates. RAINN advocates can help arrange hospital sexual-assault forensic exams and explain reporting options without pressure.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Delaware?: Women's Corner tracks 16 domestic violence resources for women in Delaware.
Are domestic violence resources in Delaware free?: 16 of the 16 listed domestic violence resources in Delaware are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Delaware have domestic violence resources?: Listings span cities including Wilmington.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Delaware?: Featured entries include National Domestic Violence Hotline, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV), CHILD Inc. — New Castle County, Delaware Department of Justice — Victim Services, Delaware Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 6 of 16 Delaware 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.