Resources
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance around domestic violence, please read on to find out more about resources in the Greater Boston and Cambridge area.
Domestic Violence Shelters & Emergency Housing
SafeLink Domestic Violence Hotline – 877-785-2020
24/7 domestic violence hotline listing current shelter shelter openings in Massachusetts only. Connects callers to available shelter space and up-to-date domestic violence resources. Multi-lingual capacity.
Jane Doe Inc - Massachusetts Map of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
See the map and corresponding information here.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
A national website to search for resources including local hotlines and emergency shelters.
https://www.thehotline.org/
Emergency Assistance Family Shelters – 866-584-0653
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Division of Housing Stabilization – 877-418-3308 (press 2)
(Call for application and eligibility information)
Massachusetts Emergency Assistance (EA) Housing Stabilization Division is the shelter system for homeless families. This includes pregnant women and parents with children. Applicants can access emergency shelter and rehousing services. Applications are processed through local Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) offices, and eligibility is based on income. There are 2 ways to apply:
Call 866-584-0653 to speak to a Homeless Coordinator and to complete an intake assessment or Emergency Assistance application.
Go to local DTA office to apply in person. Go early to the DTA office (hours 8am-4pm). DHCD must take the application that day. Be prepared to spend many hours in the office. Search for local DTA Office: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance
Domestic Violence Programs in Hospitals
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) - HAVEN (Helping Abuse & Violence End Now) - 617-724-0054
Mass General Hospital has specific coordinated services and responses for survivors of domestic violence, as well as community resources. Check out their website below for more information and services.
https://www.massgeneral.org/social-service/HAVEN/
Brigham and Women’s Hospital - Passageway - Multiple Locations - 617-732-8753
The Passageway program through Brigham and Women works with a diverse population of survivors of domestic violence across the Greater Boston Area. Check out their website below for more information and services.
Boston Medical Center - Domestic Violence Program - 617-414-5457
Boston Medical Center’s Domestic Violence Program is a resource for anyone who is seeking help or information related to domestic violence. Check out their website below for more information and services.
https://www.bmc.org/domestic-violence-program
Support for LGBTQIA+ Survivors of Domestic Violence
The Network La Red – 617-742-4911
Services available for survivors of partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and/or transgender (LGBQ/T), SM/kink and polyamorous communities; including but not limited to individual and group counseling, legal advocacy and safe homes
http://tnlr.org/
Fenway Health- Violence Recovery Program – 617-927-6250
Services include advocacy, support groups, counseling, and referrals for LGBTQ community who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, bias crime, and police misconduct.
https://fenwayhealth.org/care/behavioral-health/violence-recovery/
Support in Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services
MAPS: Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers – 617-864-7600
Groups for survivors of DV in addition to perpetrators of, domestic violence and substance abuse. Services available in the various Portuguese dialects. Crisis intervention, safety planning, information, guided referrals, medical and legal advocacy, supportive listening and related services around domestic violence and sexual assault. MAPS also conducts outreach and education in the community.
https://maps-inc.org/cause/domestic-violence-sexual-assault-advocacy/
Asian Task Force (ATASK) – 617-338-2355
ATASK primarily serves Asian families and individuals in Massachusetts and New England who suffer from or are at risk of suffering from domestic violence. Clients include a range of Asian ethnic populations. ATASK embraces and represents all ages, cultures, abilities, and sexual preferences. ATASK offers an Emergency Shelter, 24 hour Hotline, Transitional Living Program and Community Program.
http://www.atask.org/site/
Counseling & Support Services
Cambridge Health Alliance Victims of Violence Program – 617-591-6360
Services include individual, group and community counseling for victims of violence and trauma, community education.
http://www.challiance.org/Services/VictimResourceCenter.aspx
The Women’s Center – 617-354-6394 / 617-354-8807 (Helpline)
A Cambridge anti-racism community center for women providing support and resources around domestic and sexual violence, poverty, and discrimination.
http://www.cambridgewomenscenter.org/
On The Rise – 617-497-7968
A Cambridge day program for homeless women offering advocacy around basic needs and referrals to community resources. Provides meals and a community room.
http://www.ontherise.org/
Sexual Assault Support Services
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) – 800-841-8371 (Hotline)
The only rape crisis center in the Greater Boston area dedicated to ending sexual violence through healing and social change. Free services include a 24 hour hotline, 24 hour medical advocacy, group and individual counseling, and legal advocacy.
http://www.barcc.org/
Housing Search Assistance
Cambridge Multi-Service Center – 617-349-6340
Provides services to people who are homeless, at-risk of being homeless, and facing eviction. Services include case management, advocacy, accessing public benefits, financial assistance, and connection to community resources, etc. Multi-Service Center’s “Directory of Resources for People Homeless in Cambridge”
http://www.cambridgema.gov/~/media/Files/DHSP/MSC/ResDirectory.pdf
Homestart – 617-542-0338 (Boston)
Helps people at risk of becoming homeless retain their housing. Services include advocacy, financial assistance, housing search, housing stabilization and eviction prevention. Housing search walk-in hours are Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30pm at the Boston office.
http://homestart.org/
Programs & Services for Children Who Witness Violence
Children with Voices Program, Riverside Community Care – 617-354-2275 x139
Facilitates services for children who have witnessed domestic violence and their non-offending parent. Their goal is to improve the safety for these children and their families by providing parenting education, stress management skills, and mental healthcare.
https://www.riversidecc.org/services-for-communities/domestic-violence-services-2/families-with-voices/
Child Witness to Violence Project, Boston Medical Center – 617- 414-4244
Services include counseling, advocacy, and outreach project focusing on young children, up to 8 years old, exposed to violence at home.
http://www.childwitnesstoviolence.org/
Domestic Violence Liaisons at Cambridge Police Department
Cambridge Police Domestic Violence Unit – 617-349-3370
The Cambridge Police Department has specialized officers and civilians who work with survivors of domestic violence. To connect with their Victim/Witness Advocates, use the contact information below:
Victim/Witness Advocates: Alyssa Donovan & Katie Neyland: 617-349-3371
125 6th Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
https://www.cambridgema.gov/cpd/policeunits/supportservicesdivision/domesticviolenceunit.aspx
Services for People Who Use Harm and Abusive Behaviors
EMERGE – 617-547-9879
Groups for any individual who is seeking to stop perpetrating domestic violence in any form; this includes, abuser education groups, anger management and the Caring Dads group. Services are also available in Spanish and Vietnamese.
http://www.emergedv.com/
Common Purpose – 617-522-6500
Provides domestic violence intervention, treatment and prevention.
http://commonpurpose.com/main.htm
The 10 to 10 Helpline - 877-898-3411
Provides support for people who use harm.
https://10to10helpline.org/
For Seniors
The Cambridge Council on Aging – 617-349-6220
Individual counseling, community education and outreach to elders on family violence and elder abuse (Multilingual interpreters)
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services – 617-628-2601
Protective services for individuals 60 years old and older who are being abused, neglected or exploited. A Protective Services caseworker will investigate the situation and may provide counseling, safety planning, family intervention, homemaker/health aide services, housing, medical care, transportation, money management, legal assistance and/or advocacy.
For Youth
Bridge Over Troubled Waters – 617-423-9575
Services for youth ages 14-24 years old including counseling and support, a drop-in center, residential programs, education and career development, and a mobile medical van.
http://www.bridgeotw.org/
Just-A-Start Corporation – 617-494-0444 (press 4 for a listing of programs)
Provides assistance with finding emergency shelter, transitional living programs, and housing search. Provides shelter for teen mothers and children. Offers education and training programs for teens and adults.
http://www.justastart.org/what-we-do/
Youth on Fire – 617-661-2508
A drop in center for homeless youth ages 14-24 years old. Provides a range of services including hot meals, showers, laundry, clothing, medical care, counseling, and referrals.
https://aac.org/youth-on-fire/
Y2Y Harvard Square - Youth Homeless Shelter – 617-864-0795
Y2Y began as a project of student volunteers from the student-run Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and now serves 18-24 year old adults experiencing homelessness. https://www.y2ynetwork.org/what-we-do/
Legal Services
DeNovo – 617-661-1010
Legal representation in areas of domestic violence, immigration, child custody, family law, disabilities, public benefits, legal education, individual and group counseling. Mostly in Cambridge or Somerville except for special exceptions. Serves low-income only. Spanish speakers available
Harvard Legal Aid Bureau – 617-495-4408
The Bureau is an entirely student-run non-profit law firm that employs seven practicing attorneys, each with extensive public interest and private practice experience, who train students, accompany them to court, provide strategic advice, and assist in case management. The Bureau specializes in these major areas of practice: special immigrant juvenile status, housing law; family law, including divorce, child custody, paternity, visitation, and support issues; government benefits law, including appeals of the denial or termination of welfare, food stamps, unemployment, or social security disability benefits; and fair wage law.
Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services – 617-603-2700
CASLS helps clients in our service area to gain access to some of the most basic necessities of life. This includes: affordable housing, emergency assistance shelter for homeless families, state public benefits including cash assistance (TAFDC, EAEDC), federal public benefits including SSI, SSDI and food stamps, child care vouchers and related non-cash benefits, and MassHealth and other medical assistance programs.
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) - 617-371-1234
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free legal assistance and representation on civil matters.
https://www.gbls.org/
Legal Advocacy and Resource Center (LARC) – 617-603-1700
Hotline hours: Monday- Friday, 9am-12pm
Legal Hotline and referral Service. First place to call if you have a legal question and are not sure if you need a lawyer. They have trained paralegals answering the phones. They can answer legal questions and refer you to legal services for domestic violence, immigration, family law, public benefits and employment related cases.
Mass legal Help
This is a great resource to find information about all kinds of legal topics, on accessing the court system, CORI, immigration, housing, labor rights, employment, etc. Information can be found by writing a specific question on the search box.
http://www.masslegalhelp.org