Best Domestic Violence in Indiana — 18 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 Indiana

Indiana superior and circuit courts hear family matters in all 92 counties, with some counties operating dedicated domestic relations divisions. The Child Support Bureau operates under DCS. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend are the largest metros. Indiana Legal Services and the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence offer civil legal aid and shelter referrals for women.

18 Resources

1. Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

ICADV at 1915 W 18th St in Indianapolis is the state coalition representing every certified DV shelter and program in Indiana. Mothers can call 317-917-3685 weekdays 8am to 5pm to be routed to the nearest shelter, get safety-planning help, or ask about the 24/7 statewide hotline. ICADV also trains advocates and litigates policy.

317-917-3685 · 1915 W 18th St, Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Julian Center — Free

The Julian Center at 2011 N Meridian is Indianapolis's largest DV shelter and counseling center, offering emergency beds, legal advocacy through the on-site protective-order clinic, and children's programming. The 24/7 hotline is 317-941-2200; advocates can help arrange transport to shelter.

317-941-2200 · 2011 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

3. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center — Free

Beacon of Hope at 4202 E English on the Indianapolis east side serves DV and sexual-assault survivors with crisis advocacy, support groups, and follow-up case management. Especially useful for survivors who do not need emergency shelter but want a trained advocate alongside them through court and reporting. 24/7 line: 317-731-6140.

317-731-6140 · 4202 E English Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46201 · 24/7 Hotline

4. YWCA Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention — Free

YWCA Northeast Indiana at 4636 Illinois Rd in Fort Wayne runs the area's primary DV shelter and 24/7 hotline at 260-447-7233, plus protective-order assistance and children's trauma services for Allen and surrounding counties.

260-447-7233 · 4636 Illinois Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

5. Albion Fellows Bacon Center — Free

Albion Fellows Bacon Center, based out of P.O. Box 1302 in Evansville, runs southwestern Indiana's primary DV and sexual-assault shelter with a 24/7 crisis line at 812-422-9372. Services include emergency housing, court advocacy, and a children's program for Vanderburgh and surrounding counties.

812-422-9372 · P.O. Box 1302, Evansville, IN 47706 · 24/7 Hotline

6. Middle Way House — Free

Middle Way House at 338 S Washington in downtown Bloomington provides emergency shelter, transitional housing through The Rise!, and a 24-hour crisis line at 812-336-0846 for women fleeing violence in Monroe and surrounding south-central counties.

812-336-0846 · 338 S Washington St, Bloomington, IN 47401 · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Sheltering Wings Center for Women — Free

Sheltering Wings in Danville is the DV shelter for Hendricks County and the western Indianapolis suburbs, providing emergency housing, advocacy, and aftercare for women and children. The confidential 24/7 line is 317-745-1496; mailing address is P.O. Box 92.

317-745-1496 · P.O. Box 92, Danville, IN 46122 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

8. CAPS — Children and Parent Services — Free

CAPS in Bedford serves Lawrence and surrounding south-central Indiana counties with DV shelter, children's services, and an SVU advocacy program. The 24-hour line is 812-275-7128; a rural-focused team coordinates safe transport from outlying communities.

812-275-7128 · Bedford, IN 47421 · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

9. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

1-800-799-SAFE (7233) is the 24/7 national hotline; advocates can warm-transfer Indiana callers to the nearest certified ICADV shelter and walk through safety-planning in English, Spanish, and 200+ languages via interpreter. Text START to 88788 or chat online if speaking is unsafe.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Loveisrespect — Free

1-866-331-9474, text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat at loveisrespect.org — built for teens and young adults experiencing dating abuse. Useful for Indiana high schoolers and college students at Purdue, IU, Notre Dame, or Ball State navigating an unsafe relationship.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

1-844-7NATIVE provides culturally specific support for Native American and Alaska Native survivors of dating and domestic violence — relevant for Indiana's Miami Tribe and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi communities, plus enrolled members of other tribes living in Indiana.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

NCADV unites state coalitions (Indiana's is ICADV) on policy, public education, and survivor resources. Their site has Indiana-specific summaries of protective-order law and links to current ICADV emergency contacts.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Futures Without Violence — Free

National nonprofit publishing evidence-based prevention curricula used by Indiana healthcare providers and schools, including the Coaching Boys Into Men program and trauma-informed clinical guides for OB/GYN and pediatric practices.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. DomesticShelters.org — Free

Searchable database of every certified DV shelter and program in the US, including all Indiana certified providers — Julian Center, YWCA NE Indiana, Albion Fellows Bacon, Middle Way House, Sheltering Wings, CAPS, and more — with current bed availability where reported.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

API-GBV provides culturally specific resources for AAPI survivors — relevant for Indiana's Burmese, Hmong, Filipino, and South Asian communities concentrated around Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Includes language-access tools and interpreter guidance.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Casa de Esperanza — Free

Casa de Esperanza leads the National Latin@ Network for healthy families and ending gender-based violence — useful for Indiana Latina survivors looking for bilingual advocates and culturally specific safety-planning resources.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

The US DOJ's Office on Violence Against Women administers VAWA grant funding that flows to Indiana shelters, prosecutors, and tribal programs. The site explains the federal protections layered on top of Indiana state law.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

1-800-656-HOPE is the National Sexual Assault Hotline, free 24/7. Calls from Indiana are routed to a local affiliated rape-crisis center (such as Albion Fellows Bacon or Beacon of Hope) and advocates can coordinate forensic-exam access at Indiana SANE programs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Indiana?
Women's Corner tracks 18 domestic violence resources for women in Indiana.
Are domestic violence resources in Indiana free?
18 of the 18 listed domestic violence resources in Indiana are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Indiana have domestic violence resources?
Listings span cities including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Bloomington, Danville, Bedford.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Indiana?
Featured entries include Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Julian Center, Beacon of Hope Crisis Center, YWCA Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention, Albion Fellows Bacon Center.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 18 Indiana 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.