Resources

You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone

If you are being abused, questioning what happened to you, preparing to leave or trying to rebuild afterward, help is available.

You do not need visible injuries to deserve support. You do not have to prove that it was “bad enough.” You also do not have to be ready to leave before reaching out. A trained advocate can listen without judgment, help you understand your options and work with you to create a plan based on your circumstances.

If You Are in Immediate Danger

Call 911 or your local emergency services if you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger.

If calling could place you at greater risk, use a safer device when possible or contact someone you trust who can call for you.

Before You Continue: Technology Safety

Phones, computers, email accounts, location services and internet activity can sometimes be monitored without your knowledge. Private or incognito browsing does not guarantee that your activity will remain hidden.

If you believe someone may be monitoring your device:

  • Use a device or account they cannot access when possible.

  • Be cautious about changing passwords, location settings or shared accounts if the change could alert them.

  • Consider speaking with a domestic violence advocate before making major technology changes.

  • Store documentation somewhere the abusive person cannot access.

  • Remember that clearing your browser history may not erase every record of your activity.

The Safety Net Project’s Technology Safety & Privacy Toolkit provides safety information specifically for survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and technology-facilitated abuse.

Domestic Violence and Relationship Abuse

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: Text START to 88788
Online chat: TheHotline.org

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can help with safety planning, identifying abuse and finding shelters, legal assistance and other services in your area.

Georgia Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline

Georgia residents can connect with trained advocates and certified domestic violence programs throughout the state.

Call: 1-800-33-HAVEN
Call: 1-800-334-2836
Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Visit the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence to locate domestic violence programs and additional resources in Georgia.

VictimConnect Resource Center

VictimConnect assists people affected by domestic violence, stalking, sexual violence, financial exploitation and other crimes. Specialists can provide emotional support, information about victims’ rights and referrals to local services.

Call or text: 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
Online chat: VictimConnect.org

Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN provides free, confidential support for survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Text: Text HOPE to 64673
Online chat: RAINN.org/hotline

You can contact RAINN whether the assault happened recently or many years ago. You do not have to report the assault to law enforcement in order to speak with someone.

Emotional or Mental Health Crisis

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you are experiencing overwhelming emotional distress, having thoughts of suicide or simply need someone to help you through a crisis, call or text 988.

Call or text: 988
Online chat: 988Lifeline.org

The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Stalking, Harassment and Documentation

Stalking does not always look like a stranger following someone. It can include repeated unwanted calls or messages, appearing at your home or workplace, monitoring your movements, contacting your family or friends, damaging property, sending unwanted gifts, impersonating you or using technology to track you.

Stalking Prevention, Awareness & Resource Center

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness & Resource Center provides information about recognizing stalking, assessing risk and planning for safety.

Its free Stalking Incident and Behavior Documentation Log can help you record repeated incidents, dates, witnesses, police reports and other details.

Documentation may be useful, but your safety comes first. If collecting or storing evidence could place you at risk, speak with an advocate before doing so.

Technology Abuse Documentation

The Safety Net Project offers documentation guidance for survivors of technology abuse, including information about texts, emails, social media harassment, impersonation and unwanted calls.

Legal Information and Assistance

Laws vary by state, and information found online is not a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney.

WomensLaw

WomensLaw.org provides plain-language legal information about:

  • Protection and restraining orders

  • Stalking and cyberstalking

  • Divorce and custody

  • Financial abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Litigation abuse

  • Preparing for court

  • State-specific laws

  • Finding legal assistance

Georgia residents can begin with the WomensLaw Georgia information page.

Georgia Legal Services Program

The Georgia Legal Services Program provides free civil legal assistance to eligible Georgians living outside the five-county metro Atlanta area. Assistance may be available for protection orders, family law, housing, public benefits and other matters affecting survivors.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society

The Atlanta Legal Aid Society provides civil legal assistance to eligible residents of Fulton, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Its services include help for survivors seeking legal protection for themselves and their children.

Crime Victim Services Directory

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Directory of Crime Victim Services allows you to search for nonemergency victim-service organizations by location, type of victimization and type of assistance needed.

Financial Abuse and Financial Recovery

Financial abuse may include controlling access to money, preventing someone from working, hiding financial information, taking income, damaging credit, forcing someone to assume debt or using shared finances as a way to maintain control.

The Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s financial-abuse resources provide information about recognizing financial control and locating assistance.

If someone has opened accounts in your name, forced you into debt or damaged your credit, consider speaking with a domestic violence advocate and an attorney before confronting that person or closing shared accounts. The safest next step will depend on your individual situation.

Georgia Crime Victims Compensation

The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program may help eligible victims with certain expenses related to a violent crime, including medical care, mental health counseling and loss of income or support. Eligibility requirements and filing deadlines apply.

Support for Teens and Young Adults

Love Is Respect

Love Is Respect provides confidential support for teens, young adults and the people who care about them. Advocates can answer questions about dating abuse, unhealthy relationships, boundaries and safety planning.

Call: 1-866-331-9474
Text: Text LOVEIS to 22522
Online chat: LoveIsRespect.org

Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Finding Counseling and Mental Health Care

Healing after abuse may require more than simply getting away from the person who caused the harm. A trauma-informed counselor can help you understand trauma responses, rebuild trust in yourself, process grief and begin separating your identity from what happened to you.

FindTreatment.gov is a confidential federal resource that allows people in the United States to search for mental health and substance-use treatment providers in their area.

When contacting a therapist, consider asking:

  • Do you have experience working with survivors of domestic abuse or coercive control?

  • Are you trained in complex trauma or CPTSD?

  • How do you approach trauma treatment?

  • Do you offer virtual appointments?

  • Do you accept my insurance or offer reduced-fee appointments?

  • How do you protect client privacy?

It is okay to ask questions before scheduling. It is also okay to decide that a particular counselor is not the right fit.

A Note From Me

I know that finding a resource is not the same thing as feeling ready to use it.

You may still love the person who hurt you. You may be frightened of what will happen if you tell someone. You may worry that no one will believe you. You may not have money, a safe place to go or any idea what your life would look like afterward.

None of that means you are weak.

You do not have to make every decision today. You can begin by telling one safe person, saving one phone number or asking one question. Even the smallest step toward safety and truth is still a step.

What happened to you matters. You deserve to be heard, believed and supported. You deserve a life that does not require you to disappear in order to keep the peace.


Important Disclaimer

Never Be Perfect is a survivor-led educational and personal website. It is not a crisis service and does not provide medical, mental health, or legal advice. The inclusion of an organization on this page does not guarantee that every service will be available or appropriate for every situation.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services.

Resources and contact information last reviewed September 2026.