Domestic Violence Safety and Housing

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. If someone is hurting you, scaring you or controlling you, please hear this: it is not your fault, and you deserve to be safe. There are people in Texas ready to help, any time, day or night.

Here is the easy first step: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233, or text START to 88788. It's at no cost and private, and they can help you find a local program near you.

A few things to know

• You choose. You are the expert on your own safety. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Be careful with your phone and computer. If someone checks your devices, use a phone or computer they can't see, like at a library or a friend's house.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Who can I call right now?

You can call even if you're not sure it's "bad enough." Advocates listen, help you think through your choices, and never judge.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 800.799.7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. Deaf hotline by video phone: 855.812.1001.
• Your county's 24 hour line is in the county list later in this guide.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/

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A quick exit

Many hotline websites have a quick exit button that takes you off the page fast. On a shared device, you can also use a private or incognito window. Little things like that can help you stay safe.

How do I know if it's abuse?

Abuse isn't only hitting. The National Domestic Violence Hotline says abuse is about power and control, and that even one or two of these behaviors is a red flag:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Extreme jealousy, or keeping you away from friends and family.
• Insulting or shaming you, especially in front of others.
• Stopping you from making your own choices, like working or going to school.
• Taking your money or refusing money for things you need.
• Pressuring you into sex, drugs or alcohol.
• Threatening looks or actions, or threats to hurt or take your kids or pets.
• Scaring you with weapons, or destroying your things or your home.

If any of this sounds familiar, you can call an advocate just to talk. No one deserves abuse of any kind, for any reason.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/domestic-abuse-warning-signs/

How do I make a safety plan?

A safety plan is a simple, personal plan for staying safer, whether you stay, are thinking about leaving, or have already left. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers no cost help making one with a live advocate.

You don't have to have it all figured out to reach out. One call is enough for today, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Where can I stay if I need to leave?

Texas has family violence programs in every part of the state. The Texas Council on Family Violence keeps a statewide Find Help directory you can search by location, with hotlines, services and counties served.

Many programs offer emergency shelter, counseling, help with court, and support for kids.

• Shelter locations are kept private for safety. Call the program's 24 hour line to get in.
• If a program is full, ask them to help you find another safe place.
• The county list later in this guide has hotlines near you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://tcfv.org/find-help/

How do I get a protective order in Texas?

In Texas, a court order to keep someone away is called a protective order. As of October 16, 2026, the Texas courts' protective order guide says:

• It is at no cost for you. The clerk can also arrange for law enforcement to serve the other person at no cost.
• You can file without a lawyer, though a lawyer can help. Your county or district attorney or legal aid may help at no cost. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line is 800.252.9690.
• The judge may give you a Temporary Ex Parte Protective Order that protects you until your court hearing. If you don't get a signed paper with that title, you don't have a protective order yet.
• You must go to your hearing. If you don't, the temporary order may end.

Your local family violence program can help with the forms. This is general information, not legal advice. For help with your situation, talk with an advocate or a lawyer. See Guide 13 for no cost legal help.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1458605/protective-orders-faq.pdf

Can I keep my new address private?

Texas has an Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Office of the Attorney General. It gives you a substitute post office box address and forwards your mail to where you really live, so your home address stays private.

• Survivors of family violence can apply with a protective order or other papers about the crime.
• Call the program at 888.832.2322, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Ask your local family violence program about it. Advocates can help you apply.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims/victims-violent-crime/address-confidentiality-program

What housing help is there if I'm a survivor?

If you live in HUD assisted housing, like public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher, HUD has extra protections for survivors through VAWA. HUD says:

• Survivors shouldn't lose their home or help because of abuse committed against them.
• Survivors shouldn't be turned away because of things the abuse caused, like an eviction record or bad credit.
• Can ask the housing provider for an emergency transfer for safety reasons.
• Survivors can ask that information about the abuse be kept confidential. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/vawa

Rent and need to leave for safety? You may be able to end your lease early. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you. Talk with an advocate or legal aid before you move.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://texaslawhelp.org/article/early-lease-termination-for-victims-of-family-violence

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Kids and pets, too

When you call a center, tell them about your kids and pets. Ask what support they have for children, and if they can help with a safe place for your pet. You're doing so great by asking.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Texas

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Harris County (Houston)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Dallas County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Tarrant County (Fort Worth)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bexar County (San Antonio)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Travis County (Austin)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Collin County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Denton County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hidalgo County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

El Paso County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Fort Bend County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My safety plan

Fill this in only if it's safe to keep. You can also just memorize it. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. You deserve to be safe and happy. Take care, friend.

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 16, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 16, 2026