The resources listed below are primarily legislative and activist organizations, not direct service providers. If you are living in a domestic violence situation and are looking for assistance, please select from the local resource links listed above.
For a list of domestic violence coalitions by state, click here.
Battered Women's Justice Project
1-800-903-0111
Criminal Justice Issues - extension #1
Civil Justice Issues - extension #2
Defense Issues - extension #3
The mission of the Battered Women's Justice Project is to promote systemic change within community organizations and governmental agencies engaged in the civil and criminal justice response to domestic violence that creates true institutional accountability to the goal of ensuring safety for battered women and their families. To this end, BWJP undertakes projects on the local, state, national, and international levels. The Battered Women's Justice Project (BWJP) is a collaborative effort of three nationally respected organizations that have pioneered innovative civil and criminal justice responses to domestic violence. Minnesota Program Development, Inc., better known as the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, manages the BWJP Criminal Justice Office. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence coordinates the BWJP Civil Justice Office. The National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women operates the BWJP Defense Office.
Center for Advancement of Public Policy
202-797-0606
The Center for Advancement of Public Policy fosters equitable, democratic, and humane management in government, corporations, and other organizations; seeks the elimination of prejudice, sexism, and discrimination in the workplace and in society; and promotes democratic government through research, investigation and education. It serves as an independent and nonpartisan resource to members of Congress, the press, advocacy organizations, community leaders, employee groups, corporate managers, and consumers.The Center promotes women's equity in the workplace, in political participation, in family relationships, and throughout society, by formulating policy options that are responsive to the economic and social realities faced by contemporary women.
Center for Women Policy Studies
1211 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 312
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-872-1770
202-296-8962 (fax)
cwps@centerwomenpolicy.org
Since its founding in 1972 as the nation’s first feminist policy research organization, the Center for Women Policy Studies has been on the front lines of efforts to promote justice and equality for women. Their multiethnic and multicultural feminist research, policy analysis and advocacy bring women’s diverse voices to important debates — on women and AIDS, violence against women and girls, welfare reform, access to health care, educational equity, work/family and workplace diversity policies, reproductive rights and health, and much more.
The Clothesline Project
c/o Carol Chichetto
P.O. Box 654
Brewster, MA 02631
ClotheslineProject@verizon.net
The Clothesline Project (CLP) is a program started on Cape Cod, MA, in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women. It is a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt. They then hang the shirt on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women.
Communities Against Violence Network (CAVNET)
A comprehensive, searchable database for information about violence against women. This website provides articles on everything from welfare reform and domestic violence to violence against immigrant women to Rohypnol (the "date rape drug") to legal information and statistics.
Domestic Violence Clinic at American University's Washington College of Law
202-274-4140
202-274-0659 (fax)
mejohnson@wcl.american.edu
The Domestic Violence Clinic examines the interrelationship of civil and criminal approaches to domestic violence. This clinic actively joins advocacy groups and the courts in Washington, D.C., to address, systematically, legal issues important to women, such as domestic violence, child welfare, and biases within the court system.
FaithTrust Institute
2400 N. 45th Street #10
Seattle, WA 98103
206-634-1903
206-634-0115 (fax)
info@faithtrustinstitute.org
FaithTrust Institute, formerly the Center for Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, offers a wide range of services and resources, including training, consultation and educational materials, to provide communities and advocates with the tools and knowledge they need to address the religious and cultural issues related to abuse.They are an international, multifaith organization working with many communities, including Asian and Pacific Islander, Buddhist, Jewish, Latino/a, Muslim, Black, Anglo, Indigenous, Protestant and Roman Catholic.
Family Violence Prevention Fund
383 Rhode Island St. Suite #304
San Francisco, CA 94103-5133
415-252-8900
415-252-8991 (fax)
800-595-4889 (TTY)
info@endabuse.org
For more than two decades, the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) has worked to end violence against women and children around the world. Instrumental in developing the landmark Violence Against Women Act passed by Congress in 1994, the FVPF has continued to break new ground by reaching new audiences including men and youth, promoting leadership within communities to ensure that violence prevention efforts become self-sustaining, and transforming the way health care providers, police, judges, employers and others address violence.
The Feminist Majority Foundation
1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 801
Arlington, VA 22209
703-522-2214
703-522-2219 (fax)
FMF engages in research and public policy development, public education programs, grassroots organizing projects, leadership training and development programs, and participates in and organizes forums on issues of women's equality and empowerment. Our sister organization, the Feminist Majority, engages in lobbying and other direct political action, pursuing equality between women and men through legislative avenues.
Institute for Women's Policy Research
202-785-5100
The Institute for Women's Policy Research conducts rigorous research and disseminates its findings to address the needs of women, promote public dialogue, and strengthen families, communities, and societies. IWPR focuses on issues of poverty and welfare, employment and earnings, work and family issues, health and safety, and women's civic and political participation. The Institute works with policymakers, scholars, and public interest groups around the country to design, execute, and disseminate research that illuminates economics and social policy issues affecting women and families, and to build a network of individuals and organizations that conduct and use women-oriented policy research. IWPR, an independent, non-profit, research organization also works in affiliation with the graduate programs in public policy and women's studies at The George Washington University.
Jewish Women International
2000 M Street, NW Suite 720
Washington, DC 20036
202.857.1300 or 800.343.2823
202.857.1380 (fax)
Jewish Women International, founded in 1897 as B'nai B'rith women, honors the concept of tikkun olam — repairing the world-through education, advocacy and action. Guided by a vision of a safe world for women and children, each of their anti-violence initiatives promotes the highest form of tzedakah by helping women and children become independent and help themselves.
Legal Momentum (Formerly NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund)
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
212-925-6635
212-226-1066 (fax)
Legal Momentum advances the rights of women and girls by using the power of the law and creating innovative public policy.
Love is Not Abuse
A campaign of Liz Claiborne, Inc., in collaboration with Marie Claire Magazine and Break the Cycle, this site provides useful information on domestic violence and what you can do for yourself or to help a friend. Check out the Women's Handbook and the information on Teen Violence.
National Alliance to End Homelessness
202-638-1526
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize the nonprofit, public and private sectors of society in an alliance to end homelessness. The Alliance represents a united effort to address the root causes of homelessness and challenge society's acceptance of homelessness as an inevitable by-product of American life. The main areas of their work include: informing policy makers at the federal level about ways in which they can help to end homelessness across the nation; providing assistance to service providers, advocates, and public officials in developing and implementing plans to end homelessness in their communities; and increasing the number of Americans educated about the issues, causes and solutions of homelessness and engaged in pursuing its permanent end.
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
4612 Shoal Creek
Austin, TX 78756
512-407-9020
The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence designs, provides, and customizes training and consultation; influences policy, promotes collaboration; and enhances diversity with the goal of ending domestic and sexual violence.
National Center on Elder Abuse
1201 15th Street NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005-2842
202-898-2586
202-898-2583 (fax)
ncea@nasua.org
The Center makes available news and resources, collaborates on research, provides consultation, education and training, identifies and provides information about promising practices and interventions, answers inquiries and requests for information, operates a listserve forum for professionals, and advises on program and policy development.
National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women
125 South Ninth Street, Suite 302
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-351-0010 or 1-800-903-0111, ext. 3
215-351-0779 (fax)
The National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women provides technical assistance, support, resources, networking, and training to help battered women who are forced to defend themselves when faced with life-threatening violence from their abusers.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 18749
Denver, CO 80218
303-839-1852
303-831-9251 (fax)
303-839-8459 (TTY)
mainoffice@ncadv.org
NCADV's work includes coalition building at the local, state, regional and national levels; support for the provision of community-based, non-violent alternatives - such as safe home and shelter programs - for battered women and their children; public education and technical assistance; policy development and innovative legislation; focus on the leadership of NCADV's caucuses and task forces developed to represent the concerns of organizationally under represented groups; and efforts to eradicate social conditions which contribute to violence against women and children.
National Coalition for the Homeless
202-462-4822
The National Coalition for the Homeless, founded in 1984, is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to the mission of ending homelessness. They are committed to creating the systemic and attitudinal changes necessary to prevent and end homelessness. At the same time, they work to meet the immediate needs of people who are currently experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of doing so. They take as their first principle of practice that people who are currently experiencing homelessness or have formerly experienced homelessness must be actively involved in all of their work.
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
P.O. Box 8970
Reno, NV 89507
775-784-6012
775-784-6628 (fax)
staff@ncjfcj.org
Since its founding in 1937 by a group of judges dedicated to improving the effectiveness of the nation's juvenile courts, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) has pursued a mission to improve courts and systems practice and raise awareness of the core issues that touch the lives of many of our nation's children and families.
National Council of La Raza
202-785-1670
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) –the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States –works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas –assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country. NCLR has operations in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224
512-453-8117
512-453-8541 (fax)
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) serves as the only center in the nation that provides information regarding 5000 local and nationwide shelters and server providers available for victims, friends and family who often call for life saving help. The Hotline operates 24 hours a day in over 150 languages with a TTY line available for the deaf.
National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (Alianza)
P.O. Box 672, Triborough Station
New York, NY 10035
646-672-1404 or 1-800-342-9908
646-672-0360 or 1-800-216-2404 (fax)
inquiry@dvalianza.org
The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (Alianza) is part of a national effort to address the domestic violence needs and concerns of under-served populations. It represents a growing network of Latina and Latino advocates, practitioners, researchers, community activists, and survivors of domestic violence. Alianza’s mission is to: promote understanding, initiate and sustain dialogue, and generate solutions that move toward the elimination of domestic violence affecting Latino communities, with an understanding of the sacredness of all relations and communities.
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
202-638-2535
The mission of the Law Center is to prevent and end homelessness by serving as the legal arm of the nationwide movement to end homelessness. To achieve its mission, the Law Center pursues three main strategies: impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. To amplify the work of its small staff, the Law Center relies on interns, volunteers, and the pro bono assistance of the private bar. The Law Center strives to place homelessness in the larger context of poverty. By taking this approach, the Law Center aims to address homelessness as a very visible manifestation of deeper causes: the shortage of affordable housing, insufficient income, and inadequate social services. The Law Center presses for solutions that address the causes of homelessness, not just its symptoms.
National Network to End Domestic Violence
660 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Ste.303
Washington, DC 20003
202-543-5566
202-543-5626 (fax)
The National Network to End Domestic Violence, a social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions, is dedicated to creating a social, political and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists.
National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness
202-714-5378
The National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (NPACH) is a national grassroots organization whose primary concern is to ensure that national homelessness policy accurately reflects the needs of local communities. NPACH works to accomplish its mission through: informing the public and policymakers on the causes and consequences of homelessness; uniting a broad base of antipoverty organizations through grassroots organizing; studying the impact of federal legislation and policy on local communities; and providing technical assistance to local groups and service providers as they seek to access funding for their programs or as they strive to build strong local coalitions which can better serve their homeless populations.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
6400 Flank Drive #1300
Harrisburg, PA 17112
1-800-537-2238
1-800-553-2508 (TTY)
The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) was founded in 1993 as a key component in a national network of domestic violence resources. The NRCDV provides support to all organizations and individuals working to end violence in the lives of victims and their children through technical assistance, training and information on response to and prevention of domestic violence.
National Women's Law Center
202-588-5180
Since 1972, the Center has expanded the possibilities for women and girls in this country. The Center uses the law in all its forms: getting new laws on the books and enforced; litigating ground-breaking cases in state and federal courts all the way to the Supreme Court; and educating the public about ways to make the law and public policies work for women and their families. They handle issues that cut to the core of women's and girls' lives in education, employment, family economic security, and health-- with special attention given to the needs of low-income women and their families.
Office on Violence Against Women, Department of Justice
800 K Street, N.W., Suite 920
Washington, DC 20530
202-307-6026
202-307-3911 (fax)
202-307-2277 (TTY)
Since its inception in 1995, the Violence Against Women Office, now the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has handled the Department’s legal and policy issues regarding violence against women, coordinated Departmental efforts, provided national and international leadership, received international visitors interested in learning about the federal government’s role in addressing violence against women, and responded to requests for information regarding violence against women.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
635-B Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20003
Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE, ext. 1
202-544-1034 or 1-800-656-4673 ext. 3
202-544-3556 (fax)
info@rainn.org
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE. RAINN also publicizes the hotline's free, confidential services; educates the public about sexual assault; and leads national efforts to improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
Stop Family Violence
331 West 57th Street #518
New York, NY 10019
Stop Family Violence is a leading national organization working to bring survivor voices- and the voices of their allies- to bear on the social and political agendas affecting their lives. Also provides an email list for updates on legislative activity.
Women's Justice Center of the Pace University School of Law
Helpline: 914-287-0739
914-422-4069
914-422-4102 (fax)
The Pace Women's Justice Center is a training, resource and direct legal services center. It creates and disseminates new techniques for legal intervention. Each year, they provide representation to hundreds of clients and train dozens of law students and thousands of judges, attorneys, and others who work to eradicate injustice to women.
Women's Law Project
125 S. 9th Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-928-9801
215-928-9848 (fax)
info@womenslawproject.org
The Women's Law Project renews its commitment to work to abolish discrimination and injustice and to secure dignity and freedom for women. The Law Project is proud to be a unique resoure for the women of Pennsylvania and a national leader in the field of women's rights.
Women'sLaw.org
150 Court St., 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
The Mission of WomensLaw.org is to provide easy-to-understand legal information to women living with or escaping domestic violence.
