Last updated: June 18, 2026
If you are in danger right now
Call 911 if you or your children are in immediate danger. If using your own phone or computer is not safe, use a safer device when you can, such as a trusted neighbor, clinic, shelter, school, library, or public office.
Internet and phone use can be monitored. If you are worried someone may see your browsing, use a safer device or call instead. The Hotline internet safety page has general privacy tips, but a local advocate can help you think through your own risk.
You can contact the National Hotline at 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use chat. Alaska Native mothers, family members, and friends can contact StrongHearts at 844-762-8483 by call, text, or chat. If sexual assault is part of what happened, the RAINN hotline is 800-656-4673.
If you are thinking about suicide, feel like you may hurt yourself, or need crisis counseling, call or text 988 Alaska. For local food, shelter, transportation, and basic needs referrals, call Alaska 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-478-2221.
Bottom line
Single mothers in Alaska can ask for domestic violence help through statewide crisis lines, local shelter and advocacy programs, Alaska courts, legal aid, victim compensation, housing referrals, public benefits, and community services. You do not need every document ready before asking for help. You also do not have to stay in a shelter to talk with an advocate.
Alaska’s Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault says victim service programs around Alaska provide safety planning and community-based advocacy. Most provide emergency shelter, and all provide services to rural communities in their service area. A person does not need to be a shelter resident to receive these services.
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice, safety advice, medical advice, or a promise that a program will accept your case. Domestic violence situations can change fast. A local advocate, attorney, court clerk, law enforcement officer, medical provider, or crisis line can help you talk through safer choices for your situation.
Where to start in Alaska
If you can safely make one call, start with the local domestic violence or sexual assault program closest to your area. Use the CDVSA resources page, the ANDVSA map, or the Alaska Department of Law shelter directory. If you are not sure which one fits, call any listed program and ask where to start.
If your main need is not shelter, you can still ask for help. Advocates may help with safety planning, protective order questions, court support, food, clothing, transportation, school changes, child safety concerns, housing referrals, and benefits paperwork.
If you need shelter
Call a local DV or sexual assault program. Ask about shelter, safe homes, hotel options, pets, children, and transportation.
If you need court help
Start with the Alaska court page. Ask an advocate or clerk about forms, filing, and hearing steps.
If you need basic needs
Call Alaska 211 and ask for food, rent, utilities, phones, rides, diapers, and local emergency resources.
If housing is unsafe
Ask an advocate about emergency shelter, housing referrals, VAWA housing protections, and AHFC options.
For a broader first step beyond this page, ASMOM also has a national guide to domestic violence help and a state guide for Alaska emergency help.
Quick contacts for Alaska survivors
| Need | Start here | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Ask for police, fire, or medical help now. |
| Domestic violence | 800-799-7233 | Ask for safety planning and local referrals. |
| Alaska Native support | 844-762-8483 | Ask for culturally grounded support and referrals. |
| Sexual assault | 800-656-4673 | Ask for a sexual assault advocate and options. |
| Mental health crisis | 988 | Call or text for crisis counseling. |
| Food, rent, utilities | 2-1-1 or 800-478-2221 | Ask for local help near your community. |
Local domestic violence programs in Alaska
Alaska has large distances, weather barriers, small communities, and many rural areas. Help may look different depending on where you live. Some programs operate shelters. Some may use safe homes, hotel rooms, village advocates, phone advocacy, or transport help.
Use statewide directories as the most current starting point. Program names, phone numbers, shelter space, and service areas can change. Call first if it is safe.
| Area | Program examples | How they may help |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | AWAIC, STAR, Victims for Justice | DV shelter, sexual assault advocacy, court support, victim support. |
| Fairbanks and Interior | Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living | Shelter, crisis support, advocacy, rural outreach, children’s services. |
| Juneau and Southeast | AWARE and regional programs | Shelter, advocacy, legal referrals, support groups, court help. |
| Bethel and Y-K Delta | Tundra Women’s Coalition | Shelter, crisis line, rural outreach, children’s services. |
| Kenai, Homer, Kodiak, Sitka | Local DV/SA agencies | Safe housing, advocacy, legal referrals, support groups. |
| Nome, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik | Regional victim programs | Crisis support, village outreach, safe homes, referral help. |
Tip for rural mothers
When you call, say your community name, whether children are with you, whether you can travel safely, and whether weather, flights, ferry access, or road conditions are barriers. Ask if the program can help by phone, through a village advocate, or with a nearby hub community.
Protective orders in Alaska
Alaska courts have civil protective orders for domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. The right form depends on what happened and your relationship to the other person. The court page has forms, videos, language resources, and instructions.
The Alaska Court System says a judge may decide temporary custody and visitation if you have children with the other party in a domestic violence protective order case and a long-term order is granted. The judge may also order child support in that protective order case.
If you can safely use online tools, the court wizard can help prepare a civil protective order request. Paper forms are also available. Alaska court instructions say form DV-100 is used for one petitioner, and DV-100M is used for more than one petitioner, such as a parent and children.
| Question | What to know | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
| Do I need a lawyer? | No lawyer is required to ask for a protective order. | Ask an advocate, court clerk, or legal aid office if you can. |
| Can children be included? | The court may address temporary custody and visitation. | Write down school, daycare, pickup, and exchange concerns. |
| What if I cannot travel? | Rural filing options may depend on your court and safety needs. | Call an advocate and explain travel limits. |
| What if it is violated? | Violations can be serious and may involve police or court action. | Call 911 if you are in danger. |
The Alaska Department of Public Safety victim booklet says a person who believes law enforcement protection is needed may ask an officer for help with safety, including an emergency protective order. It also says an officer may help with essential personal belongings and getting to a safe place. Read the DPS victim booklet if it is safe to open a PDF.
Shelter, housing, and lease safety
Emergency shelter is often the fastest housing path if you cannot safely stay where you are. A local advocate can help you think through children, pets, medicine, documents, school pickup, transportation, privacy, and whether a shelter, safe home, hotel, friend’s home, or other option is safer.
For longer-term housing, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has the Empowering Choice Housing Program. AHFC describes it as referral based and designed for individuals or families displaced by domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. It works through select domestic violence agencies.
AHFC’s referral agencies page says the program may provide rental assistance through AHFC or preferential placement on public housing waitlists. A referral does not mean immediate housing is available.
Housing reality check
Shelter beds, vouchers, public housing, and rent help can be limited. Ask what to do if the first option is full, if you have pets, if you need transport, or if you must keep your location private.
For broader housing steps, use ASMOM’s Alaska housing help guide. If utilities, heat, or phone service are part of the crisis, see Alaska utility help and phone or internet help.
Money, food, health care, and basic needs
Leaving abuse can create urgent costs for food, gas, phone minutes, diapers, medicine, child care, locks, documents, and rent. Start with local advocates and public programs. Do not assume you are ineligible because you are working, staying with someone else, missing papers, or not ready to file a police report. Rules vary by program.
Crime victim compensation
The Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board may help eligible victims with crime-related expenses. Its VCCB eligibility page says a person must submit an application and have a loss directly caused by a violent crime. Its VCCB application page says you can apply even if you do not yet know all your expenses, and more information can be added later.
VCCB lists possible categories such as medical or dental expenses, counseling, lost wages, relocation, security measures, transportation, and other crime-related costs. Funding and eligibility are not guaranteed. Ask an advocate for help if the form feels hard or unsafe to complete alone.
Food, cash, Medicaid, WIC, and heat
The Alaska Division of Public Assistance runs programs that may matter after abuse, including food, financial aid, medical coverage, child care assistance, and other supports. Use DPA services to compare programs, or use Alaska Connect to apply, renew, upload documents, and report changes through a myAlaska account.
ASMOM has state guides for Alaska SNAP, Alaska TANF, Alaska WIC, Alaska healthcare, and Alaska child care.
Local basic needs
For food, clothing, transportation, furniture, school items, diapers, and family support, ask your advocate and Alaska 211. ASMOM’s Alaska community help and baby gear help guides can also help you plan next calls.
Legal help for protection, custody, housing, and immigration issues
Domestic violence can affect custody, divorce, child support, housing, immigration, employment, benefits, debt, and criminal victim rights. Try not to rely only on advice from friends, social media, or the other parent. Use local advocates and qualified legal help when you can.
CDVSA lists CDVSA legal services for victims, including legal advocacy support and statewide legal resources. Alaska Legal Services Corporation says it is the state’s largest provider of free civil legal services for domestic violence victims. Start with ALSC domestic violence if you need civil legal help and meet intake rules.
The Office of Victims’ Rights provides free legal services to crime victims for rights connected to police, prosecutors, judges, and other criminal justice agencies. If family court, custody, or child support is part of your situation, also see ASMOM’s Alaska legal help, Alaska child support, and national family safety law guides.
Custody and safety warning
Protective orders, custody orders, divorce cases, and criminal cases can overlap. Before you agree to exchanges, visits, mediation, or a parenting plan, ask an advocate or attorney how to raise safety concerns with the court.
Practical steps for single mothers
You may be trying to protect children, keep school stable, keep your job, care for a baby, hide your location, and handle money all at once. Pick the steps that fit your situation. Skip anything that is unsafe.
| Task | Why it matters | Ask for help from |
|---|---|---|
| School and daycare pickup lists | Staff need clear directions about who may pick up your child. | School office, daycare director, advocate. |
| Copies of court papers | Police, schools, housing offices, and child care may need them. | Court clerk, advocate, legal aid. |
| Benefits and documents | SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, TANF, and housing may ask for proof. | DPA, WIC office, advocate, 211. |
| Phone and account safety | Shared plans, apps, and passwords can expose your location. | Advocate, hotline, trusted tech helper. |
| Work and transportation | Schedules, paychecks, and rides may need to change quickly. | Employer HR, advocate, 211. |
If you are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, disabled, caring for a disabled child, or living far from a hub city, tell the advocate. You may need different supports. Pregnancy and newborn, disability and special-needs, and transportation help guides may also be useful.
If you are applying for several programs at once, use ASMOM’s documents checklist. If a benefit, housing referral, or agency request is denied or delayed, use the denied benefits guide to organize your next call.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until everything is organized. If you are unsafe, ask for help now and add documents later when possible.
- Using a monitored device. If your phone, email, car, or social media may be monitored, use a safer device to contact help.
- Assuming shelters only help residents. Many programs also help with safety planning, court forms, advocacy, and referrals.
- Signing papers alone. Ask an advocate or attorney before signing anything that affects safety, children, housing, or money.
- Missing safe contact details. If you apply for benefits, housing, court orders, or VCCB, ask how the office can contact you safely.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If one office says no, ask what other program might fit. If a shelter is full, ask about safe homes, hotel help, transportation, another community, or a waitlist. If benefits are delayed, ask what proof is missing and how to send it. If you are afraid to go to court alone, ask an advocate about court accompaniment.
Keep notes with the date, office name, person you spoke with, and what they said. If it is safe, save copies or photos of papers, texts, bills, and notices. If it is not safe to keep records on your own device, ask an advocate about safer options.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling a local program
“Hi, I am a mother in Alaska and my home is not safe. I have children with me. I need to ask about shelter, safety planning, court protection, transportation, or a referral near my community.”
Calling the court clerk
“I need information about filing for a domestic violence protective order. I am not asking for legal advice. Can you tell me where the forms are, how to file, and what options exist if I cannot safely come to the courthouse?”
Calling Alaska 211
“I am a single mother in Alaska and need safe resources for food, rent, utilities, transportation, and child supplies. I may not be able to share my location freely. Can you search for confidential programs near my area?”
Calling VCCB
“I was harmed by a violent crime in Alaska and have expenses. I do not know all costs yet. Can you explain how to start a claim, what documents help, and how to add bills later?”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato en Alaska, llame al 911. Para ayuda confidencial sobre violencia doméstica, llame a la Línea Nacional al 800-799-7233 o mande START al 88788. Las madres Nativas de Alaska también pueden llamar o mandar texto a StrongHearts al 844-762-8483.
Los programas locales pueden ayudar con refugio, planificación de seguridad, órdenes de protección, comida, vivienda, transporte y apoyo en la corte. Si necesita comida, renta, servicios públicos u otros recursos, llame al 2-1-1 o al 800-478-2221.
FAQ
Can I get domestic violence help in Alaska if I am not ready to leave?
Yes. Local advocacy programs can often talk with you about options, safety concerns, court forms, children, and local resources even if you are not ready to leave or stay in shelter.
Do I have to live in Anchorage to get help?
No. Alaska has programs in many regions, and CDVSA says all victim service programs provide services to rural communities in their service area. Use the ANDVSA map or state shelter directory to find the program for your area.
Can a protective order cover my children?
It may. Alaska courts say a judge may decide temporary custody and visitation when a long-term domestic violence protective order is granted. Ask the court or a legal advocate how to explain child safety concerns.
Can I apply for victim compensation if I do not know all my bills yet?
Yes. Alaska VCCB says you can apply even if you do not yet know all your expenses, and more information can be added later. Eligibility and payment are not guaranteed.
Where can I get food or rent help after leaving abuse?
Start with your local advocate and Alaska 211. You can also use Alaska Connect to apply for public assistance programs if you may qualify.
What if my phone or computer is being watched?
Use a safer device if you can, such as a trusted person’s phone, a library computer, or a public office phone. You can also call 911 in immediate danger or ask a hotline or local advocate about safer contact options.
Review dates
Last updated: June 18, 2026. Next review: September 18, 2026.
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 June 18, 2026, next review September 18, 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.