How many domestic violence resources are in Rhode Island?

Women's Corner tracks 17 domestic violence resources for women in Rhode Island.

Are domestic violence resources in Rhode Island free?

17 of the 17 listed domestic violence resources in Rhode Island are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Rhode Island have domestic violence resources?

Listings span cities including Warwick, Providence, Pawtucket, Wakefield.

What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Rhode Island?

Featured entries include National Domestic Violence Hotline, RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Women's Center of Rhode Island — DV Services, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center — Warwick, Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center — Pawtucket.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 17 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island — 17 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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island Family Court is a statewide system handling all divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket are the largest cities. Rhode Island Legal Services and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services to women.

17 Resources

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org to reach a trained advocate 24/7. Advocates do safety planning, locate the nearest RI shelter, and connect callers to legal aid. Conversations are anonymous and unrecorded; interpreters available in 200+ languages. The hotline does not appear on most phone bills.

800-799-7233 · Nationwide Service · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

RICADV at 422 Post Road in Warwick is the statewide coalition coordinating the network of six member agencies. Their 24/7 statewide helpline at 800-494-8100 routes survivors to the nearest shelter, court advocacy, and legal help. Office at 401-467-9940 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Free; all calls confidential.

401-467-9940 · 422 Post Rd Suite 104, Warwick, RI 02888 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Helpline 24/7: 800-494-8100 · Visit Website

3. Women's Center of Rhode Island — DV Services — Free

The Women's Center at 45 Aborn Street in downtown Providence runs an emergency shelter, transitional housing, support groups, and a court-based advocacy team that walks women through protective-order petitions. Phone 401-861-2760 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; the 24/7 hotline routes through 800-494-8100. Free, confidential.

401-861-2760 · 45 Aborn St, Providence, RI 02903 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center — Warwick — Free

The EBC Center in Warwick operates Kent County's emergency DV shelter (location confidential) plus advocacy, support groups, and a children's program. Survivors call 401-738-1700 for the 24/7 hotline; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Bilingual Spanish advocates available. Free.

401-738-1700 · Warwick, RI 02886 · 24/7 Hotline; Office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center — Pawtucket — Free

BVAC in Pawtucket serves Northern Rhode Island women with an emergency shelter, court advocacy at Pawtucket and Family Court, and a children's trauma program. Call the 24/7 hotline at 401-723-3057. Office hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Portuguese and Spanish bilingual staff available. All services free.

401-723-3057 · Pawtucket, RI 02860 · 24/7 Hotline; Office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

6. Day One — Sexual Assault & DV Services — Free

Day One at 100 Medway Street in Providence is RI's lead sexual-assault response center, providing forensic-exam advocacy at hospitals, a 24/7 helpline (401-421-4100), a children's advocacy team, and ongoing trauma counseling. Office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. All services free; no police report required to access support.

401-421-4100 · 100 Medway St, Providence, RI 02906 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Hotline 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Katie Brown Educational Program — Free

Based in Wakefield, the Katie Brown Educational Program delivers evidence-based dating-violence prevention curricula to RI middle and high schools. Adults can request community-education trainings for parent groups and church communities. Phone 401-782-3990 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm to schedule. Free for partner schools.

401-782-3990 · Wakefield, RI 02879 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

8. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

The Hotline at thehotline.org is the federally funded line for survivors anywhere in the US. Call 1-800-799-7233 or chat live on the website; advocates safety-plan, find shelters, and explain protective orders in 200+ languages. Anonymous and free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Loveisrespect — Free

Loveisrespect at loveisrespect.org is the dating-abuse arm of The Hotline aimed at women ages 13-26. Trained peer advocates handle calls (1-866-331-9474), texts (LOVEIS to 22522), and chat. Useful for young women in early-stage controlling relationships. Free, 24/7, anonymous.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

StrongHearts at 1-844-7NATIVE is a culturally-grounded DV and dating-abuse helpline staffed by Native advocates familiar with tribal customs, jurisdictions, and the unique safety concerns of Indigenous women. Free, anonymous, 24/7. Especially useful for Narragansett women in southern RI.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

NCADV at ncadv.org curates state-by-state policy information, statistics on DV, and a resource hub on protective orders, firearms, and survivor financial safety. Useful for survivors preparing affidavits or making policy arguments. Free public resource.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Futures Without Violence — Free

Futures Without Violence at futureswithoutviolence.org operates the federally designated National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence, with materials to help women raise abuse with their doctors, plus trauma-informed parenting resources. Free downloads.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. DomesticShelters.org — Free

DomesticShelters.org is a free searchable directory of every DV shelter and program in the US and Canada, including all six RI member agencies. Filter by services (legal advocacy, immigrant women, LGBTQ-inclusive). Updated continuously by program staff. No log-in required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

API-GBV at api-gbv.org is the national resource center for Asian and Pacific Islander women survivors, with culturally specific safety-planning guides and a directory of in-language services. Useful for Hmong, Cambodian, and Filipino women in the Providence area. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Casa de Esperanza — Free

Casa de Esperanza at casadeesperanza.org is the national Latina-led resource center on gender violence, operating a Spanish-language DV line (linea de crisis) and bilingual organizing materials. Helpful for monolingual Spanish-speaking mothers in Central Falls and Providence neighborhoods.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

OVW at justice.gov/ovw is the DOJ office that funds DV programs and enforces VAWA. Their public site explains housing protections, the U-visa, and federal grant programs RI agencies receive. Useful for advocates and survivors documenting federal rights. Free public information.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

RAINN at 1-800-656-4673 runs the National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 in partnership with local rape crisis centers; in RI calls route to Day One. Online chat at online.rainn.org. Free, anonymous, no police report needed. Counselors trained to support women through reporting choices.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Rhode Island?: Women's Corner tracks 17 domestic violence resources for women in Rhode Island.
Are domestic violence resources in Rhode Island free?: 17 of the 17 listed domestic violence resources in Rhode Island are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Rhode Island have domestic violence resources?: Listings span cities including Warwick, Providence, Pawtucket, Wakefield.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Rhode Island?: Featured entries include National Domestic Violence Hotline, RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Women's Center of Rhode Island — DV Services, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center — Warwick, Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center — Pawtucket.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 17 Rhode Island 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.