Abuse & Domestic Violence

If a current or former partner is hurting you or your children, or threatening to hurt you or your children, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to make sure that you and your children can be safe.

What is considered Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence, also called intimate partner violence, is a pattern of abuse and controlling behavior over a current or former romantic partner that gets worse over time. Abuse includes physical and sexual harm, but also includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, humiliate, or hurt someone. Domestic violence can include economic abuse, like keeping your paycheck or preventing you from working. Just because you are not being physically harmed does not mean the abuse is not real. Domestic violence can happen to anyone.

If you are looking for support or someone to talk to

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1.800.799.7233 and TTY 1.800.787.3224 (confidential and free)
If you are unable to speak safely, you can log onto the hotline or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Call 1.800.422.4453 anytime to speak to a counselor. Options for live chat and texting are available as well on the Childhelp website
ChildSafe
Bexar County’s most advanced trauma focused care center for child victims and child survivors of abuse and neglect, and their non-offending family members.
The Deaf Hotline
The Deaf Hotline is available 24/7 through video phone (1.855.812.1001), email and chat for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled survivors.
Family Violence Prevention Services
Call 210.733.8810 anytime to speak to crisis intervention specialist.
National Parent Helpline
Call 1.855.4A.PARENT (427.2736) Monday – Friday 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CT for emotional support and advocacy for parents.
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call 1.800.656.HOPE (4673) or chat anytime to receive free, confidential support from a counselor.
Rape Crisis Center
The Rape Crisis Center will be offering all their free and confidential counseling services via phone and/or telehealth using Zoom Video Conferencing.
Call 210.349.7273 anytime to speak to an advocate.
StrongHearts Native Helpline for domestic/sexual violence
Confidential hotline specifically for native communities.
Call 1.844.762.8483 between 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily to speak to an advocate.
Texas Department of Human Services Abuse Hotline
Call 1.800.252.5400 to talk confidentially about experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources, or questioning unhealthy aspects of a relationship.
Trans LifeLine
This hotline is staffed exclusively by transgender operators, and provides emotional support and financial resources to trans people. It has a policy against non-consensual active rescue.
Call 1.877.565.8860 between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. daily to speak to an advocate.

If you need help leaving an abusive partner safely

  • Please call the SAPD non-emergency number at 210.207.7273, and the advocates with the Crisis Response Teams can help you make a plan.
  • Domestic Violence Safety Plan – a digital brochure that guides you through creating a safety plan for your or your loved ones. 

If you are in immediate danger

  • If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call OR text 9-1-1.
  • You can go to your local police station to seek assistance: Find your local police station.

How to Text 9-1-1

  1. Enter 911 in the "to" field.
  2. Include your location and type of emergency.
  3. "Send" message.
  4. Answer any questions and follow instructions.

Domestic Violence - Stop The Violence

@dv_commission@dv_commission

If you need help with a protective order

Bexar County District Attorney's Office

You can apply for a protective order online with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. The application is available 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Bexar County Family Justice Center
If you would like to discuss whether a protective order is right for you, please call 210.631.0100, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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