Last updated: May 20, 2026
Urgent help first
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If it is not safe to talk, follow the dispatcher’s instructions as best you can.
For confidential domestic violence help, contact the National hotline by calling 800-799-7233, texting START to 88788, or using online chat. If your phone or computer may be watched, use a safer device when possible.
In North Dakota, a local advocate can help you think through shelter, court options, and safer next steps. Use the NDDSVC directory to find an advocacy center, or call FirstLink 211 for referrals and crisis support across North Dakota.
Bottom line
Domestic violence help in North Dakota usually starts with a local domestic violence or sexual assault advocate. Advocates can talk with you about safety, emergency shelter, court protection orders, legal referrals, benefits, housing, and support for your children.
This guide is general information, not legal or safety advice. Every situation is different. A trained advocate, legal aid office, court clerk, law enforcement officer, benefits worker, or licensed professional can help with the facts of your case.
For other state assistance pages, start with North Dakota help and then use this page for domestic violence-specific steps.
Where to start in North Dakota
You do not have to know the right program name before you ask for help. Start with the safest contact you can make.
If you need safety or shelter
Call a local advocacy center through the NDDSVC directory and say you need to speak with an advocate about safe options for you and your children.
If you do not know who to call
Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. FirstLink 211 can connect you with local food, housing, crisis, and support services.
If you are Native
Call or text 844-762-8483 for StrongHearts, a confidential Native-centered helpline. The First Nations Women’s Alliance also lists culturally specific resources.
If you need court help
Ask an advocate or legal aid about protection orders before filing if you can do so safely. The ND court forms page explains civil protection order options.
Quick reference: who to contact first
| Need | Start here | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Tell them where you are and whether children, weapons, injuries, or threats are involved. | 911 is for emergencies. It is not the same as ongoing advocacy or legal help. |
| Safety planning or shelter | Local DV/SA advocate | Ask for confidential help with shelter, transportation, court, and children’s needs. | Shelter space and motel funds can change by day. Ask about backup options. |
| General referrals | 211 | Ask for domestic violence, housing, food, utility, and child care referrals near your county. | 211 can refer you, but each program decides its own rules and openings. |
| Protection order | Advocate, court, or legal aid | Ask which order may fit your situation and what forms are needed. | Court staff can explain process, but they cannot give legal advice. |
| Legal questions | ALL ND Victims or LSND | Ask about protection orders, housing, custody, Marsy’s rights, or victim compensation. | Legal services may screen for eligibility and case type. |
Advocates, shelter, and crisis support
North Dakota’s domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy centers can help with safety planning, shelter options, protection order support, referrals, and support after abuse. You can use a center even if it is not the closest one to your home, especially if safety or privacy is a concern.
North Dakota Health and Human Services says it does not provide direct domestic violence services, but its ND HHS help page points people to local coalitions and national hotlines. That is why calling an advocate is usually the fastest practical start.
If sexual assault is part of what happened, the sexual assault hotline can connect you with confidential support by phone, chat, or text. If you are in emotional crisis, call or text 988 Lifeline for 24/7 crisis support.
Safety note about phones and devices
Phones, location sharing, browser history, shared accounts, and car apps can sometimes be monitored. Do not make sudden changes if that could increase danger. Use a safer phone, library computer, work device, or advocate’s office when you can, and ask a hotline or advocate for help with digital safety.
Protection orders in North Dakota
A protection order is a civil court order. It may tell another person not to contact you, not to come near your home, work, school, or daycare, and to stop abuse or threats. In North Dakota, the court explains several civil protection order types on the ND court forms page, including domestic violence protection orders, sexual assault restraining orders, and disorderly conduct restraining orders.
You can ask a certified domestic violence or sexual assault advocate for help filling out forms. You may also want legal advice before filing if custody, housing, immigration, firearms, criminal charges, or shared property are involved.
| Order type | May fit when | Where to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence Protection Order | The person is a family or household member and domestic violence happened or is feared under North Dakota law. | Ask an advocate, legal aid, or district court clerk about the petition process. |
| Sexual Assault Restraining Order | The harm involves sexual assault and the relationship does not fit a domestic violence order. | Ask an advocate or legal aid which order may apply. |
| Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order | The conduct involves unwanted acts, words, or gestures that affect safety, security, or privacy. | Ask the court or legal aid how this differs from a domestic violence order. |
Before you file
If possible, talk with an advocate about safe contact information, where papers may be served, school or daycare safety, and what to do if the other person reacts badly. This is not about scaring you; it is about planning with support.
Legal help, victim rights, and compensation
For legal questions, ALL ND Victims provides legal information, referrals, and possible representation for North Dakota victims and survivors. It is not a crisis line, so use a local advocate or 911 first for immediate danger.
LSND legal aid may help eligible crime victims with protection orders, custody or divorce issues related to abuse, housing problems, employment issues, victim compensation, and safety planning referrals.
If there is a criminal case, North Dakota’s Marsy’s Law information explains victim rights, including privacy and notice rights. You can also ask the prosecutor’s victim-witness staff how to assert your rights in that case.
The state victim compensation program may help eligible crime victims with certain crime-related costs. It does not replace every loss, and the program has rules, paperwork, and deadlines. Ask an advocate or legal aid office to help you apply if the process feels hard.
For more state-specific legal topics, ASMOM’s legal help page can be a next step after you are safe.
Housing, food, child care, health care, and income help
Leaving abuse can affect rent, food, work, child care, health coverage, transportation, and utilities all at once. It is okay to apply for more than one kind of help. North Dakota’s Apply for Help portal is the main starting point for several public benefit programs.
Use public benefits carefully and safely. If an application asks for information that could expose your location or contact details, ask the worker how the agency protects domestic violence survivors. If you are unsure, ask an advocate to help you make the call.
| Need | Program path | Where to start | Ask this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe housing | DV shelter, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, homeless prevention | Call an advocate, 211, or view ND Housing homeless programs for program background. | “Is there a safe shelter or motel option today, and what is the backup if it is full?” |
| Food | SNAP, WIC, food pantries, school meals | Apply through HHS and use ASMOM food help for North Dakota options. | “Can you screen me for expedited food help and safe contact preferences?” |
| Cash support | TANF and local emergency help | Use HHS or ASMOM TANF help to understand the basics. | “I am fleeing abuse. Are there good-cause or family-violence protections?” |
| Child care | Child Care Assistance Program and Head Start referrals | Apply through HHS and review child care help for local steps. | “Can I get help changing providers safely if my old provider is not safe?” |
| Health coverage | Medicaid, CHIP, clinic care, crisis care | Use the HHS Medicaid application page and ASMOM health coverage help. | “Can I apply with safe mailing and phone contact?” |
| Job loss | Unemployment and workforce help | File or ask questions through Job Service unemployment claims and see ASMOM job loss help. | “I left work because of abuse. What documentation should I provide?” |
Also check housing help, WIC help, utility help, and transportation help if those are part of your next steps.
Children, custody, schools, and child support
If children are involved, ask an advocate or lawyer before making big custody, school, or relocation decisions when possible. Domestic violence can affect protection orders, temporary custody requests, safe exchanges, school pickup lists, and communication with the other parent.
North Dakota Child Support can help with child support services, but its lawyers represent the state’s child support program, not either parent. If pursuing support could put you or your child at risk, ask a benefits worker, child support worker, advocate, or lawyer about good-cause and safety protections before sharing unsafe information.
Use ASMOM’s child support guide for basic state steps, but get legal advice for abuse-related custody or safety questions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not assume a verbal agreement with the other parent will protect you or your child.
- Do not ignore court papers, even if the other person filed them to scare you.
- Do not use a shared email, phone plan, cloud account, or school portal if it is not safe.
- Do not miss a benefits deadline without calling first to ask for help or an extension.
Documents and information to gather if safe
Only gather documents if it is safe. An advocate can help you decide what matters most and how to keep copies private.
| Category | Examples | Why it may help |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Photo ID, birth certificates, Social Security numbers, immigration papers if any | Benefits, school, shelter, health care, and court paperwork may ask for ID. |
| Children | School records, daycare contacts, custody orders, medical cards | These can help with safe pickup lists, care changes, and benefit applications. |
| Money | Pay stubs, benefit notices, lease, utility bills, bank information | Housing, SNAP, TANF, child care, Medicaid, and utility programs may ask for proof. |
| Abuse records | Police reports, medical records, photos, screenshots, witness names, protection orders | These may help with court, victim compensation, legal aid, or unemployment claims. |
| Safe contact | A safe phone number, email, mailing address, or advocate contact | Programs need a way to reach you without putting you at more risk. |
If you are denied, delayed, ignored, or overwhelmed
Delays and denials happen. They do not always mean you did something wrong. Ask for the decision in writing, the reason, the appeal deadline, and what proof is missing. If it is a safety issue, say that clearly and ask whether there is an emergency process.
For benefits, read notices carefully and call before the deadline. For legal problems, contact an advocate, ALL ND Victims, or legal aid. For housing, call 211 and ask about more than one county or provider. For emotional crisis, contact 988 or your local crisis line.
Backup options
- Ask 211 for food pantries, diapers, gas cards, motel help, and local churches or charities.
- Ask an advocate to call a shelter, legal aid office, or benefits office with you.
- Ask your child’s school social worker about meals, transportation, clothing, and McKinney-Vento support if you lost housing.
- Use ASMOM’s emergency help page for other urgent North Dakota resources.
- Use the local resource guide if you need a broader search path.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling a domestic violence advocate
“Hi, I’m in North Dakota and I need to speak with an advocate. I have children. I need help thinking through safe shelter, a protection order, and benefits. Is this a safe time to talk, and what information do you need from me?”
Calling 211
“I’m a single mother dealing with domestic violence. I need referrals for safe shelter, food, transportation, child care, and legal help near my county. Please tell me which programs are open today and which ones have backup options.”
Calling legal aid
“I need legal help related to domestic violence. I may need a protection order, custody help, housing advice, or victim rights help. Can you screen me for services or refer me to the right office?”
Calling a benefits office
“I’m applying for help and I’m concerned about safety and privacy. Can you explain safe contact options, good-cause rules, and what documents I can provide if I cannot safely get everything right now?”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda confidencial por violencia doméstica, llame al 800-799-7233 o mande START al 88788. En North Dakota, también puede llamar al 211 para pedir ayuda con refugio, comida, renta, servicios legales y otros recursos.
Si es posible, hable con una defensora antes de presentar documentos en la corte o hacer cambios grandes de vivienda, escuela o custodia. Esta guía es información general y no es consejo legal ni de seguridad.
FAQ
What should I do first if I am in danger in North Dakota?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. If you can safely make a confidential call, contact a domestic violence advocate through the NDDSVC directory or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help thinking through options.
Can a North Dakota advocate help me find shelter?
Yes. Local domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy centers may help with emergency shelter, safety planning, referrals, transportation options, court support, and children’s needs. Availability can change, so ask about backup options.
Can I get a protection order without a lawyer?
Many people ask for protection orders without a lawyer, and North Dakota Courts provides self-help information. Still, legal advice is important if custody, housing, immigration, firearms, criminal charges, or complex facts are involved.
Can domestic violence affect benefits or child support cooperation?
It can. If cooperation with child support or another requirement could put you or your child at risk, tell the benefits worker and ask about good-cause or family-violence protections. An advocate or legal aid office can help you ask.
Where can I get legal help for domestic violence in North Dakota?
ALL ND Victims and Legal Services of North Dakota are two key legal help paths. They may screen for case type, eligibility, and availability. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or a crisis advocate first.
What if I need food, child care, or Medicaid after leaving?
Use North Dakota HHS Apply for Help to apply for public benefits, or call the Customer Support Center listed by HHS. Tell the worker if you need safe contact, emergency screening, or help getting documents.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.