Emergency Resource Guide
For Women Facing Unsafe Relationships, Housing Instability, Financial Crisis, or Emergency Transitions
This guide is designed to help women quickly locate support during a crisis, unstable relationship, unsafe living situation, housing emergency, or major life disruption.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If calling is not safe, leave the area if possible, go to a public place, contact a trusted person, or use a chat/text crisis option.
Quick Emergency Contact Page
Immediate Danger
Emergency Services: 911
Use for:
Physical danger
Threats of violence
Medical emergency
Active break-in
Domestic violence in progress
Immediate child safety concerns
Mental Health Crisis
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
Use for:
Emotional crisis
Suicidal thoughts
Panic or severe distress
Concern for someone else’s safety
Immediate mental health support
Domestic Violence Support
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: START to 88788
Website: TheHotline.org
Use for:
Safety planning
Emotional abuse
Physical abuse
Financial control
Relationship abuse
Help finding local shelters and advocates
Sexual Assault Support
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Website: RAINN.org
Use for:
Sexual assault crisis support
Confidential help
Local sexual assault center referrals
Medical exam information
Survivor support
Human Trafficking Support
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Phone: 1-888-373-7888
Text: HELP or INFO to 233733
U.S. Department of State
Use for:
Trafficking concerns
Exploitation
Forced labor
Sexual exploitation
Help finding local assistance
Local Emergency Help
Dial 211
Use for:
Emergency housing
Food assistance
Utility help
Rent assistance
Homelessness prevention
Local shelters
Transportation resources
Community assistance programs
Section 1: Domestic Violence & Unsafe Relationship Resources
If you are in an unsafe relationship, do not wait until the situation becomes worse before creating a plan.
You may need help if you are experiencing:
□ Physical abuse
□ Emotional abuse
□ Threats or intimidation
□ Financial control
□ Isolation from family or friends
□ Monitoring of your phone, vehicle, money, or movements
□ Forced sex or sexual coercion
□ Destruction of property
□ Stalking
□ Fear of what may happen if you leave
National Resource
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-7233
Text: START to 88788
Website: TheHotline.org
Ask for help with:
□ Creating a safety plan
□ Finding a local shelter
□ Understanding abuse patterns
□ Planning how to leave safely
□ Protecting children or pets
□ Locating local legal help
□ Emotional support
Section 2: Emergency Housing Resources
If you are facing housing instability, your first goal is not perfection.
Your first goal is safety and shelter.
Search Options in Any State
Use these resources to locate emergency housing:
1. Call 211
Ask for:
Emergency shelter
Domestic violence shelter
Women’s shelter
Family shelter
Rent assistance
Utility assistance
Motel voucher programs
Transitional housing
Rapid rehousing
Local nonprofit housing programs
2. HUD Find Shelter
Search for:
Shelters
Food pantries
Health clinics
Clothing resources
3. Local Continuum of Care
Ask 211 or your city/county housing office:
“Who handles coordinated entry for homeless services in my area?”
Coordinated Entry is often the system used to connect people with available shelter and housing programs.
4. Domestic Violence Shelters
If your housing crisis is connected to abuse, contact a domestic violence hotline first. Domestic violence advocates may have access to confidential shelter options that general housing programs may not provide.
Section 3: Legal Help Resources
Legal help may be needed if you are facing:
□ Eviction
□ Protective order issues
□ Custody concerns
□ Divorce or separation
□ Domestic violence
□ Housing discrimination
□ Utility shutoff
□ Debt collection
□ Public benefits issues
□ Employment loss
National Legal Aid Search
Use the Legal Services Corporation legal aid search tool to find free or low-cost civil legal help in your state.
Ask legal aid about:
Protective orders
Eviction defense
Custody and child support
Public benefits
Housing rights
Domestic violence survivor protections
Consumer debt problems
LawHelp.org
Use LawHelp.org to search legal information and legal aid programs by state.
Section 4: Food, Utilities, and Basic Needs
If money is tight, do not wait until everything collapses.
Ask for help early.
Call 211 and ask about:
□ Food pantry
□ SNAP application help
□ Utility assistance
□ LIHEAP energy assistance
□ Rent assistance
□ Transportation vouchers
□ Diaper banks
□ Baby supplies
□ Clothing closets
□ Free medical clinics
□ Prescription assistance
□ Church benevolence programs
□ Community action agencies
Local places to contact:
□ United Way
□ Salvation Army
□ Catholic Charities
□ Local churches
□ Community action agencies
□ County Job and Family Services / Human Services
□ Food banks
□ Women’s shelters
□ Family resource centers
Section 5: Crime Victim Assistance
If you are a victim of a crime, your state may have a crime victim compensation program.
These programs may help with certain expenses such as:
□ Medical bills
□ Counseling
□ Lost wages
□ Funeral expenses
□ Crime scene cleanup
□ Some emergency relocation-related expenses
Search:
National Center for Victims of Crime
“Crime Victims Compensation Program + your state”
You can also ask:
Police victim advocate
Prosecutor’s office victim witness program
Domestic violence shelter advocate
Sexual assault center advocate
Legal aid office
Section 6: Self-Protection and Personal Safety Resources
Personal protection should be approached with wisdom, training, and legal awareness.
Nonlethal safety tools may include:
□ Personal safety alarm
□ Whistle
□ Tactical flashlight
□ Door stop alarm
□ Window alarm
□ Pepper spray, where legal
□ Stun device, where legal
□ Safety keychain, where legal
□ Vehicle emergency tool
□ Phone safety apps
□ Self-defense training
Safety Reminder
Before buying or carrying any self-defense item:
Check your state law.
Check your local city/county rules.
Check rules for schools, courthouses, airports, government buildings, shelters, workplaces, and public events.
Learn how to use the item safely.
Do not carry anything you are not prepared or legally allowed to use.
Remember that a tool is not a full safety plan.
LL Price Protection and Security Resource
For women who want nonlethal safety tools, education, and personal protection products, visit:
LL Price Protection and Security
Website: ___________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________
Facebook Page: _____________________________________
Suggested product categories:
□ Personal alarms
□ Pepper spray, where legal
□ Stun devices, where legal
□ Door/window alarms
□ Flashlights
□ Vehicle safety tools
□ Emergency whistles
□ Safety keychains
□ Emergency preparedness kits
Suggested note for shoppers:
“Laws vary by state and location. Please review your local laws before purchasing or carrying any self-defense product.”
Section 7: Georgia Emergency Resources
This section is especially helpful for women located in Georgia or being reached through Georgia-based Facebook marketing.
Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline
Georgia Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-33-HAVEN
Phone: 1-800-334-2836
Use for:
Domestic violence support
Shelter referrals
Safety planning
Local advocate connections
Georgia Sexual Assault Support
Georgia Network for Sexual Assault / RAINN Connection
Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Use for:
Sexual assault crisis support
Local sexual assault center referrals
Advocacy and support
Georgia Human Trafficking Hotline
Hotline to End Human Trafficking in Georgia
Phone: 1-866-ENDHTGA
Phone: 1-866-363-4842
Use for:
Human trafficking concerns
Exploitation concerns
Reporting or seeking help
Georgia Protective Orders
Victims of violence in Georgia may be able to petition for a protective order.
A protective order may help restrict contact, harassment, stalking, threats, or proximity from the person causing harm.
Search:
“Georgia get a protective order”
You may also ask:
□ Domestic violence advocate
□ Clerk of court
□ Legal aid
□ Victim witness advocate
□ Police victim services unit
Georgia Emergency Housing
Start with:
Dial 211
Ask for:
□ Emergency shelter
□ Domestic violence shelter
□ Women’s shelter
□ Family shelter
□ Motel voucher
□ Rent assistance
□ Transitional housing
□ Rapid rehousing
□ Utility assistance
□ Coordinated Entry contact
Also search:
“HUD Find Shelter Georgia”
Georgia Legal Help
Search:
Use for:
Free legal information
Legal aid contacts
Housing help
Family law
Protective orders
Domestic violence resources
Public benefits
Court self-help resources
Possible Georgia legal aid organizations include:
□ Atlanta Legal Aid Society
□ Georgia Legal Services Program
□ Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
□ Local courthouse self-help centers
□ Domestic violence legal advocates
Georgia Crime Victims Compensation
Georgia may provide financial assistance to eligible victims when other resources are exhausted.
Possible covered expenses may include:
□ Medical expenses
□ Counseling
□ Lost income
□ Funeral expenses
□ Crime scene cleanup
Search:
“Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program”
Phone numbers to verify before publishing:
Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program
Toll Free: 1-800-547-0060
Phone: 404-657-2222
Section 8: What to Say When You Call for Help
If you are overwhelmed, use a simple script.
Shelter / 211 Script
“Hello, my name is __________________. I am in an unsafe or unstable housing situation. I need help finding emergency shelter, domestic violence support, rent assistance, or transitional housing. Can you tell me what resources are available in my county?”
Domestic Violence Hotline Script
“I am in a relationship or home situation that does not feel safe. I need help creating a safety plan and understanding shelter options near me.”
Legal Aid Script
“I need legal help related to domestic violence, housing instability, eviction, custody, or a protective order. I cannot afford a private attorney. Can you tell me if I qualify for assistance?”
Utility Assistance Script
“My utilities may be disconnected, or I am already disconnected. I need help finding emergency utility assistance or a payment arrangement program.”
Section 9: Personal Resource Notes
My Local 211 Contact Notes
Date called: _____________________________
Person/agency spoken with:
Resources provided:
Next step:
My Local Shelter Notes
Shelter/program name:
Phone:
Requirements:
Can they help with children?
□ Yes □ No □ Unsure
Can they help with pets?
□ Yes □ No □ Unsure
My Legal Help Notes
Legal aid/program name:
Phone:
Appointment date:
Documents needed:
My Safety Product Notes
Safety item needed:
Where I can purchase it:
Is it legal in my state/local area?
□ Yes □ No □ Need to verify
Training needed:
Final Reminder
Do not try to solve everything at once.
In an emergency, focus on this order:
Safety
Shelter
Transportation
Documents
Money
Legal protection
Long-term rebuilding
You are not powerless.
You are preparing.
