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, it is not your fault. You deserve to be safe, and so do your kids. There are people in New Jersey who will listen, believe you and help, any time of day or night.

Here is the easy first step: if you're in danger right now, call 911. When it's safe, call the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.572.7233. It's private and open 24 hours a day.

A few things to know

• You choose. 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 or a spot in any program.
• If someone checks your phone or computer, it may be safer to call from a friend's phone or a library computer. Clear your history if you can.
• This is general information, not legal advice. For your situation, talk with an advocate or a lawyer.

Who can I call right now?

• In danger right now: call 911.
• New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.572.7233, any time. The New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence says it offers private crisis help, referrals and advocacy, and it's bilingual and open to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The deaf helpline is 855.812.1001.
• Sexual violence: New Jersey's 24 hour statewide hotline is 800.601.7200.
• Teens and young adults in a dating relationship: text LOVEIS to 22522.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233, or text START to 88788.

Sources: https://njcedv.org/ and https://njcedv.org/programs/ and https://www.thehotline.org/

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A quick exit

Many hotline and shelter websites have a quick exit button that takes you to a different page fast. Look for it at the top of the page. Stay safe, friend.

How do I know if it's abuse?

Abuse isn't only hitting. It can be threats, name calling, keeping you from money, your phone, friends or family, following or tracking you, forcing sex, or hurting your pets or kids.

If you feel afraid of someone close to you, that's reason enough to call. An advocate can help you sort it out, with no pressure.

How do I make a safety plan?

A safety plan is a simple plan for how to stay as safe as you can, whether you stay, are getting ready to leave or have left. Hotline advocates can help you make one.

Where can I stay if I need to leave?

The New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence lists domestic violence programs across New Jersey, many with their own 24 hour hotlines, and its programs include shelter. Call the statewide hotline at 800.572.7233, or your county's program at the end of this guide.

If you need shelter tonight and can't reach a program, call your County Social Services Agency during business hours, or dial 211 after hours. See Guide 2.

Sources: https://njcedv.org/programs/ and https://nj211.org/initiative/state-homeless-hotline

How do I get a restraining order in New Jersey?

A restraining order is a court order that tells the abuser to stay away from you. In New Jersey, the first step is usually a temporary restraining order (TRO).

The state Attorney General's domestic violence procedures say:

• During court hours, Monday to Friday, you can go to the Family Part of the Superior Court in your county.
• On weekends, holidays, weekdays after 3:30 pm and other times when the court is closed, you can sign a domestic violence complaint at a police station. The police get your request to a judge. You don't have to wait for the next business day.
• You can file where the abuse happened, where you live, where the abuser lives, or where you're staying or sheltered.
• A later court hearing decides whether to grant a final restraining order.

An advocate can come with you and help you through it. Call 800.572.7233.

Sources: https://njcedv.org/ and https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/directives/dv_manual/dv_procedures_manual.pdf

Can I keep my new address private?

Yes. New Jersey's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) gives a legal substitute address to survivors of domestic violence, stalking and sexual violence.

The state says applicants must have experienced fear or threat of abuse and must relocate to a new location. ACP works with victim service agencies to enroll people, and it forwards your mail. Ask your county's domestic violence program or the hotline to help you apply.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.nj.gov/dcf/divisions-offices/dow/acp.shtml

What are my housing rights if I'm a survivor?

Survivors of domestic violence in New Jersey may have options to end a lease early. The state's Truth in Renting guide explains the steps.

Read it, check the details there, and decide what fits your situation. It talks about things like:

• You give your landlord written notice that you or your child face an imminent threat of serious physical harm from a specific person if you stay.
• You also give one of these: a permanent restraining order, a law enforcement record, medical documentation, or a certification from a certified Domestic Violence Specialist or the director of a domestic violence agency.
• When the lease would end. The guide has the details.
• Keeping the information you share private.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf

Can I get help paying for costs from a violent crime?

New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO), part of the Attorney General's office, helps victims of violent crime with some costs. Its website explains how to apply, and a domestic violence advocate can help you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.njoag.gov/programs/victims-of-crime-compensation-office/

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Kids and pets, too

When you call, tell them about your kids and pets, so they can help you plan for everyone. Just ask!

Questions people ask a lot

Sources: https://njcedv.org/ and https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/directives/dv_manual/dv_procedures_manual.pdf and https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf and https://www.nj.gov/dcf/divisions-offices/dow/acp.shtml

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You are not alone

You are brave, and you deserve to be safe. Help is here whenever you're ready, friend.

Who can I call in my county?

Here are domestic violence programs and other local help, starting with the biggest counties. Many have their own 24 hour hotlines.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

New Jersey

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bergen County (Hackensack and nearby)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Middlesex County (New Brunswick and nearby)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hudson County (Jersey City and Hoboken)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Monmouth County (Freehold and nearby)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Ocean County (Toms River and Lakewood)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Union County (Elizabeth and Plainfield)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Camden County (Camden and Cherry Hill)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Passaic County (Paterson and Passaic)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Morris County (Morristown and Dover)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Other counties (domestic violence programs)

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 22, 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 22, 2026