Where to Find Help
UPDATED September 24, 2008
Center for Women Policy Studies
1776 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Suite 450
Washington DC, 20036
Phone: (202) 872-1770
Web: http://www.centerwomenpolicy.org
Email: cwps@centerwomenpolicy.org
A multicultural, multiethnic, feminist policy research and advocacy institution, the Center addresses all issues which impact on women. Their current programs include Stop Acquaintance Rape (StAR); Violence Against Women and Girls; and a State Legislators Initiative, whose report keeps track of federal and state policy that affects women.
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
Web: http://www.catwinternational.org
A feminist human rights nongovernmental organization that works internationally to oppose all forms of sexual exploitation. Mission: To promote a world in which women's rights are human rights, where prostitution and sex trafficking do not exist; where women are free and equal in dignity and rights; where no woman is sexually exploited; that recognizes and values the great genius of women in the development of civilization and cultures; where women have sexual integrity and autonomy.
Communities Against Violence Network - CAVNET
Web: http://www.cavnet2.org
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 Project of Silicon Valley, CA
Web: http://www.growing.com/nonviolent/index.htm
Lists all kinds of domestic violence organizations, resources, and links by category.
Feminist Majority Foundation
433 South Deverly Drive
Bevferly Hills CA, 90212
Phone: 310-556-2500
Web: http://www.feminist.org
Email: femajority@feminist.org
Committed to empowering women and winning equality through research, the sharing of information of value to feminists everywhere, and effective action. Website provides resources and links for domestic violence. DV Info page: http://www.feminist.org/other/dv/dvhome.html
Legal Momentum
Web: http://www.legalmomentum.org
Legal Momentum takes a select number of cases per year and also provides referrals to victims. Victims must fill out a legal assistance form found here. Legal Momentum also provides information about immigration and support to lawyers representing battered women in immigration cases.
Lifetime Television
Web: http://www.lifetimetv.com/community/olc/violence/index.html
Lifetime Television holds an annual "Stop Violence Against Women" campaign which includes on-air programming focusing on these issues, information on their website, community outreach, and public policy work.
Liz Claiborne, Love Is Not Abuse
Web: http://www.loveisnotabuse.com
This site provides 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 Dating Violence.
MINCAVA Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
Web: http://www.mincava.umn.edu
This website is an electronic clearinghouse of online information about violence. This organization does not provide direct or emergency assistance for persons experiencing violence.
Model Tribal Domestic Violence Full Faith and Credit Ordinance
Web: http://www.vaw.umn.edu/finaldocuments/FFCTribal.htm
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
Phone: (512) 407-9020
Web: http://www.ncdsv.org
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. This organization sponsors national and regional conferences and co-chairs the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence (DTFDV). Provides military specific information for victims of domestic violence.
National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women
125 South 9th Street
Suite 302
Philadelphia PA, 19107
Phone: (215) 351-0010
Phone: 800 903-0111 ext. 3
Web: http://www.ncdbw.org/
A resource and advocacy center for battered women charged with crimes related to their battering. Through its work, the organization aims to increase justice for — and prevent further victimization of — arrested, convicted, or incarcerated battered women. Staff provide customized technical assistance to battered women charged with crimes and to members of their defense teams (defense attorneys, advocates, expert witnesses and others). Please contact them via telephone; they accept collect calls from incarcerated battered women.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, (Part of the Domestic Violence Resource Network)
6400 Flank Drive
Suite 1300, Gateway Corporate Center
Harrisburg PA, 17112
Phone: (800) 537-2238
Phone: TTY: (800) 553-2508
Web: http://www.nrcdv.org/
Provides comprehensive information and resources (including videos, publications and information packs), policy development, and technical assistance designed to enhance community responses to and prevention of domestic violence.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
123 North Enola Drive
Enola PA, 17025
Phone: Toll Free: 877-739-3895
Phone: 717-909-0710, TTY: 717-909-0715
Web: http://www.nsvrc.org/
Email: resources@nsvrc.org
Serving as a central clearinghouse for the voluminous resources and research, the NSVRC provides a place to turn to for information, help and support. The NSVRC will influence policy, practice and research by providing greater interaction, investigation and review, and by promoting awareness within the anti-sexual violence movement. A project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.
Office of Violence Against Women, Department of Justice
800 K Street NW
Suite 920
Washington DC, 20530
Phone: (202) 307-6026
Web: http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/
This is the policy office which implements the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, combining the enforcement of federal laws with assistance to states and localities to fight domestic violence and other crimes against women.
Prostitution Research and Education (PRE)
San Francisco CA,
Phone: 415-922-4555
Web: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com
Develops research and educational programs to document the experiences of people in prostitution. The purpose of PRE is to organize against the institution of prostitution and advocate for alternatives to prostitution - including emotional and physical healthcare for women in prostitution. The project's goal is to empower this constituency by documenting their perspectives through research, public education, and arts projects. PRE develops innovative approaches to educating the public about the issue of prostitution - including how prostitution is an issue of women's rights, how prostitution is about racism, and the ways in which prostitution is also about poverty and basic human rights.
Public Justice
1825 K Street NW
Suite 200
Washington DC, 20006
Phone: 202-797-8600
Web: http://www.tlpj.org
This national, public interest law firm offers cutting-edge legal briefs and news on public interest issues, including civil rights, elder law, reproductive freedom, violence prevention, and women's rights. This is the only site on the Internet where you can find complete contact information for all legal aid, legal services, and poverty law offices in the U.S.
Rural Womyn Zone
Web: http://www.ruralwomyn.net
By and for rural women in the U.S. and in sisterhood with rural women worldwide. This website provides articles, discussion, chats, and email lists for rural women and advocates.
Stop Family Violence
Web: http://www.stopfamilyviolence.org
Information on legislative activity regarding family violence and instructions on how to contact your legislators. Also provides an email list for updates on legislative activity.
The Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC)
San Diego (with partners in Mexico and Latin America) CA,
Phone: 619-666-0797
Web: http://www.bsccoalition.org/
Prevent and intervene in the commercial and sexual exploitation of women and children while advocating for all exploited persons. The BSCC is an alliance of over 60 government and nonprofit agencies in the United States and Latin America that is convened in and along the U.S.-Mexico Border Region to combat slavery and human trafficking. Services: Advocacy for prostituted and trafficked girls and women. Assistance in providing a comprehensive, multifaceted network providing wrap-around services to women, men, and children who have been victimized by traffickers and held as slaves. Workshops provided for agencies offering services to victims of trafficking.
VAWNet
Web: http://www.vawnet.org
VAWnet Library is an online resource for advocates working to end domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violence in the lives of women and their children. VAWnet is a project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV).
Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington DC, 20210
Phone: 800-827-5335
Web: http://www.dol.gov/dol/wb
The Women's Bureau's mission is to formulate standards and policies which promote the welfare of wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency, and advance their opportunities for profitable employment.
Women's Rural Advocacy Programs
Web: http://www.letswrap.com
WRAP is a collective of five offices serving four counties in southwestern Minnesota. Their website provides domestic violence information and resources for survivors of violence in rural communities.
WomensLaw.org
Web: http://www.WomensLaw.org
WomensLaw.org is an online resource providing state-specific domestic violence legal information. The site also publishes step-by-step procedural information, courthouse and sheriff locations, links to downloadable court forms, and national and local links and resources. WomensLaw also provides information through an email hotline
1776 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Suite 450
Washington DC, 20036
Phone: (202) 872-1770
Web: http://www.centerwomenpolicy.org
Email: cwps@centerwomenpolicy.org
A multicultural, multiethnic, feminist policy research and advocacy institution, the Center addresses all issues which impact on women. Their current programs include Stop Acquaintance Rape (StAR); Violence Against Women and Girls; and a State Legislators Initiative, whose report keeps track of federal and state policy that affects women.
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
Web: http://www.catwinternational.org
A feminist human rights nongovernmental organization that works internationally to oppose all forms of sexual exploitation. Mission: To promote a world in which women's rights are human rights, where prostitution and sex trafficking do not exist; where women are free and equal in dignity and rights; where no woman is sexually exploited; that recognizes and values the great genius of women in the development of civilization and cultures; where women have sexual integrity and autonomy.
Communities Against Violence Network - CAVNET
Web: http://www.cavnet2.org
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 Project of Silicon Valley, CA
Web: http://www.growing.com/nonviolent/index.htm
Lists all kinds of domestic violence organizations, resources, and links by category.
Feminist Majority Foundation
433 South Deverly Drive
Bevferly Hills CA, 90212
Phone: 310-556-2500
Web: http://www.feminist.org
Email: femajority@feminist.org
Committed to empowering women and winning equality through research, the sharing of information of value to feminists everywhere, and effective action. Website provides resources and links for domestic violence. DV Info page: http://www.feminist.org/other/dv/dvhome.html
Legal Momentum
Web: http://www.legalmomentum.org
Legal Momentum takes a select number of cases per year and also provides referrals to victims. Victims must fill out a legal assistance form found here. Legal Momentum also provides information about immigration and support to lawyers representing battered women in immigration cases.
Lifetime Television
Web: http://www.lifetimetv.com/community/olc/violence/index.html
Lifetime Television holds an annual "Stop Violence Against Women" campaign which includes on-air programming focusing on these issues, information on their website, community outreach, and public policy work.
Liz Claiborne, Love Is Not Abuse
Web: http://www.loveisnotabuse.com
This site provides 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 Dating Violence.
MINCAVA Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
Web: http://www.mincava.umn.edu
This website is an electronic clearinghouse of online information about violence. This organization does not provide direct or emergency assistance for persons experiencing violence.
Model Tribal Domestic Violence Full Faith and Credit Ordinance
Web: http://www.vaw.umn.edu/finaldocuments/FFCTribal.htm
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
Phone: (512) 407-9020
Web: http://www.ncdsv.org
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. This organization sponsors national and regional conferences and co-chairs the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence (DTFDV). Provides military specific information for victims of domestic violence.
National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women
125 South 9th Street
Suite 302
Philadelphia PA, 19107
Phone: (215) 351-0010
Phone: 800 903-0111 ext. 3
Web: http://www.ncdbw.org/
A resource and advocacy center for battered women charged with crimes related to their battering. Through its work, the organization aims to increase justice for — and prevent further victimization of — arrested, convicted, or incarcerated battered women. Staff provide customized technical assistance to battered women charged with crimes and to members of their defense teams (defense attorneys, advocates, expert witnesses and others). Please contact them via telephone; they accept collect calls from incarcerated battered women.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, (Part of the Domestic Violence Resource Network)
6400 Flank Drive
Suite 1300, Gateway Corporate Center
Harrisburg PA, 17112
Phone: (800) 537-2238
Phone: TTY: (800) 553-2508
Web: http://www.nrcdv.org/
Provides comprehensive information and resources (including videos, publications and information packs), policy development, and technical assistance designed to enhance community responses to and prevention of domestic violence.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
123 North Enola Drive
Enola PA, 17025
Phone: Toll Free: 877-739-3895
Phone: 717-909-0710, TTY: 717-909-0715
Web: http://www.nsvrc.org/
Email: resources@nsvrc.org
Serving as a central clearinghouse for the voluminous resources and research, the NSVRC provides a place to turn to for information, help and support. The NSVRC will influence policy, practice and research by providing greater interaction, investigation and review, and by promoting awareness within the anti-sexual violence movement. A project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.
Office of Violence Against Women, Department of Justice
800 K Street NW
Suite 920
Washington DC, 20530
Phone: (202) 307-6026
Web: http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/
This is the policy office which implements the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, combining the enforcement of federal laws with assistance to states and localities to fight domestic violence and other crimes against women.
Prostitution Research and Education (PRE)
San Francisco CA,
Phone: 415-922-4555
Web: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com
Develops research and educational programs to document the experiences of people in prostitution. The purpose of PRE is to organize against the institution of prostitution and advocate for alternatives to prostitution - including emotional and physical healthcare for women in prostitution. The project's goal is to empower this constituency by documenting their perspectives through research, public education, and arts projects. PRE develops innovative approaches to educating the public about the issue of prostitution - including how prostitution is an issue of women's rights, how prostitution is about racism, and the ways in which prostitution is also about poverty and basic human rights.
Public Justice
1825 K Street NW
Suite 200
Washington DC, 20006
Phone: 202-797-8600
Web: http://www.tlpj.org
This national, public interest law firm offers cutting-edge legal briefs and news on public interest issues, including civil rights, elder law, reproductive freedom, violence prevention, and women's rights. This is the only site on the Internet where you can find complete contact information for all legal aid, legal services, and poverty law offices in the U.S.
Rural Womyn Zone
Web: http://www.ruralwomyn.net
By and for rural women in the U.S. and in sisterhood with rural women worldwide. This website provides articles, discussion, chats, and email lists for rural women and advocates.
Stop Family Violence
Web: http://www.stopfamilyviolence.org
Information on legislative activity regarding family violence and instructions on how to contact your legislators. Also provides an email list for updates on legislative activity.
The Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC)
San Diego (with partners in Mexico and Latin America) CA,
Phone: 619-666-0797
Web: http://www.bsccoalition.org/
Prevent and intervene in the commercial and sexual exploitation of women and children while advocating for all exploited persons. The BSCC is an alliance of over 60 government and nonprofit agencies in the United States and Latin America that is convened in and along the U.S.-Mexico Border Region to combat slavery and human trafficking. Services: Advocacy for prostituted and trafficked girls and women. Assistance in providing a comprehensive, multifaceted network providing wrap-around services to women, men, and children who have been victimized by traffickers and held as slaves. Workshops provided for agencies offering services to victims of trafficking.
VAWNet
Web: http://www.vawnet.org
VAWnet Library is an online resource for advocates working to end domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violence in the lives of women and their children. VAWnet is a project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV).
Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington DC, 20210
Phone: 800-827-5335
Web: http://www.dol.gov/dol/wb
The Women's Bureau's mission is to formulate standards and policies which promote the welfare of wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency, and advance their opportunities for profitable employment.
Women's Rural Advocacy Programs
Web: http://www.letswrap.com
WRAP is a collective of five offices serving four counties in southwestern Minnesota. Their website provides domestic violence information and resources for survivors of violence in rural communities.
WomensLaw.org
Web: http://www.WomensLaw.org
WomensLaw.org is an online resource providing state-specific domestic violence legal information. The site also publishes step-by-step procedural information, courthouse and sheriff locations, links to downloadable court forms, and national and local links and resources. WomensLaw also provides information through an email hotline