Last updated: June 18, 2026
Urgent help now
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If it is not safe to call, try to get help from a trusted person nearby, such as a store worker, school, clinic, neighbor, or other safe adult.
If you can safely use a phone or device, call The Hotline at 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat. The Hotline says advocates are available by phone, text, and chat. You can also use the ACADV shelter map to find Arkansas domestic violence programs. Shelter addresses may be private and may be shared only after screening.
Arkansas 211 is a free, confidential, 24-hour, multilingual way to ask for local help with shelter, food, rent, child care, transportation, and other needs. If your phone, car, email, social media, banking, or location is being watched, use a safer device when you can. The tech safety plan from NNEDV can help you think about safer device use with an advocate.
Bottom line
Arkansas domestic violence help usually starts with three paths: a trained advocate for safety and shelter, the circuit clerk or legal aid for protection order questions, and DHS or 211 for food, health care, child care, cash help, and local support. You do not have to solve everything in one day.
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice, safety-plan advice, medical advice, or benefits-office advice. Domestic violence can become more dangerous when someone tries to leave, file papers, change passwords, apply for support, or change contact rules. When possible, talk with a trained advocate before taking steps that could alert the person hurting you.
For broader Arkansas support, keep this page with the ASMOM Arkansas help guide, Arkansas emergency help, and national domestic violence help.
Where to start
The safest first step depends on what is happening right now. Pick the card that matches your situation. An advocate can help you slow down, talk through risk, and decide what order to do things in.
You need safety today
Call 911 if danger is immediate. If you can safely call, contact The Hotline, ACADV, or a local domestic violence program. Ask about shelter, children, pets, disability access, transportation, and nearby counties.
You need court protection
Call your county circuit clerk or legal aid. Ask about an order of protection, the forms used in your county, and whether an advocate can help you file.
You need benefits
Use Access Arkansas or DHS for SNAP, Medicaid, ARKids First, and TEA. Ask about safe contact, address safety, and child support cooperation if abuse is involved.
You need legal help
Start with ASMOM Arkansas legal help and AR Law Help. Legal aid can explain protection orders, custody, housing, benefits, and child support issues.
Quick reference table
Use this table when you need a simple next step. If it is not safe to make a call from your own device, ask an advocate, school, clinic, library, or trusted person about safer ways to reach help.
| Need | Best first contact | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Tell them if children, weapons, injuries, stalking, threats, or a protection order are involved. |
| Shelter or advocacy | Local DV program or The Hotline | Ask about bed space, transportation, children, pets, disability access, and nearby programs. |
| Protection order | County circuit clerk | Ask for order of protection forms and whether a victim advocate is available. |
| Food, health, cash help | Access Arkansas or DHS | Ask about SNAP, Medicaid, ARKids First, TEA, document upload, and safe contact options. |
| Rent or utility crisis | 211, advocate, local agencies | Ask what is open today and whether you need ID, a lease, a bill, or an appointment. |
Shelter, advocacy, and crisis support in Arkansas
The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence connects survivors with local programs through its shelter map. ACADV says shelter addresses are available only upon request. That is normal. Programs may ask questions before sharing a location because families already in shelter need privacy.
When you call, you can share only what is safe to share. You can ask whether the program can help with safety planning, emergency shelter, court advocacy, transportation, counseling, food, school needs, and referrals. If one shelter is full, ask the advocate whether another county, nearby state, hotel option, or partner program can be checked.
For younger mothers and teens, Love is Respect offers dating abuse support by phone, chat, or text. Native survivors and relatives can contact StrongHearts for confidential and culturally specific domestic and sexual violence support.
Safety caution
Do not assume your phone or accounts are private. Shared phone plans, location apps, car apps, smart home devices, cloud accounts, email, and social media can sometimes be used to monitor a survivor. Sudden changes can also alert an abusive person. If you are worried, ask an advocate to help you think through safer steps.
Orders of protection in Arkansas
An order of protection is a civil court order. It is not the same as a criminal no-contact order, divorce order, custody order, or child support order. These papers can overlap, so ask legal aid or an advocate before assuming one order changes another.
The Arkansas court page says there is no charge to file a petition for an order of protection. It also says circuit clerk offices are required to have the needed forms, and many domestic violence shelters or county offices have victim advocates who can help with the petition and affidavit.
A judge may issue a temporary order before a full hearing when the law allows it. A final order, if granted after a hearing, may last for a fixed period. WomensLaw’s Arkansas order guide explains the process in plain language. The Attorney General’s Laura’s Card page also points victims to rights, shelters, and court resources.
| Court step | What it means | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Petition | You write what happened and what protection you are asking for. | Be factual. Ask an advocate or legal aid about safety concerns before filing if you can. |
| Temporary order | A judge may give short-term protection before the hearing. | It is not automatic. Ask how service will happen and how you will be notified. |
| Service | The other person must be legally served before the hearing. | Service problems can delay a case. Ask the clerk what happens next. |
| Hearing | Both sides may appear, and the judge decides whether to issue a final order. | Ask about separate waiting areas, remote options, or an advocate if available. |
Food, cash aid, health care, and child care after abuse
Leaving abuse can mean losing access to money, a car, documents, child care, food, or health coverage. Arkansas public benefits may help, but approval is not guaranteed. Rules depend on your household, income, documents, immigration or citizenship facts, program funding, and case details.
The Arkansas DHS apply for services page says most public assistance applications can start online. You can use Access Arkansas to apply for SNAP, TEA, Medicaid, ARKids, and other health care categories. If you need an office, use the DHS county office map.
SNAP food help
The Arkansas DHS SNAP page explains food assistance for eligible households. If you have very little food or money, ask DHS whether faster processing rules may apply. For more next steps, use ASMOM’s Arkansas SNAP guide.
TEA cash help
Arkansas TANF cash assistance is called Transitional Employment Assistance, or TEA. The state TEA page says it can include monthly cash assistance and work-related supports such as transportation and child care. Ask DHS about safety before giving information that could reveal your location. ASMOM’s Arkansas TEA guide can help you prepare questions.
WIC, health care, and child care
Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding mothers and young children may be able to use Arkansas WIC. Children may qualify for ARKids First. The Arkansas Office of Early Childhood says its School Readiness Assistance program helps some low-income families pay for child care. ASMOM also has guides for Arkansas WIC, Arkansas health coverage, and Arkansas child care.
Crime victim compensation
The Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board may help some victims with certain costs tied to a violent crime. The state victim compensation forms page lists an online application and board rules. Ask a shelter advocate, prosecutor victim-witness office, or legal aid office what documents may be needed before you apply.
Housing rights, rent help, and safer moves
If you live in public housing, have a Housing Choice Voucher, or live in certain federally assisted housing, the Violence Against Women Act may protect you from being denied housing or evicted only because you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. HUD’s HUD VAWA page explains housing protections and forms.
You may also be able to request an emergency transfer from a covered housing provider. Ask your housing authority or property manager for its VAWA emergency transfer plan. To find your local housing authority, use HUD’s PHA contacts. For more Arkansas rent and shelter paths, use ASMOM’s Arkansas housing help.
Private leases are different
VAWA does not cover every private rental. Before breaking a lease, moving out, or signing a new agreement, ask legal aid or a housing advocate about your options. A shelter advocate may also know local rent help, motel help, or safe relocation resources.
Child support, custody, and safety
Child support can help children, but it can also create safety concerns when the other parent is abusive. Arkansas OCSE has a child support safety page for parents worried that a case could put them or their children in danger.
Parents who receive TEA, SNAP, Medicaid, ARKids First, or ARHOME may be told they must cooperate with child support. Arkansas OCSE explains the basic cooperation rules. If cooperation would be unsafe, ask DHS or OCSE about good cause or safety steps before you share information. For state basics, see ASMOM’s Arkansas child support guide.
Custody and visitation are legal questions. A protection order, custody order, divorce case, child support case, and criminal no-contact order can affect each other. Get legal help before assuming one paper changes another paper.
Address privacy and records
Arkansas has an Address Confidentiality Program through Driver Services. The official ACP affidavit says a qualifying licensee may receive a driver’s license or identification card that shows a post office box instead of a residence address. The form also says a valid order of protection is part of the process.
This program is not the same as making every record private. If you are filing court papers, applying for benefits, enrolling a child in school, dealing with housing, or using child support services, ask each office how to protect your address, phone number, school, employer, and safe contact information.
Documents and information checklist
Do not risk your safety to gather papers. Bring or save only what you can get safely. If papers are missing, ask the office what substitutes may work. For a broader list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.
| Item | Why it helps | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| ID for you | Benefits, shelter intake, court, school, banking, and medical care. | Ask the office what other proof they accept. |
| Child documents | School, child care, benefits, health coverage, and custody questions. | Ask school, DHS, or vital records how to replace them. |
| Proof of income | SNAP, TEA, child care, housing, Medicaid, and local aid. | Ask if a written statement, employer record, or benefit letter can be used. |
| Lease or bills | Rent help, utility help, VAWA requests, and address proof. | Ask 211 or legal aid what proof is needed for local programs. |
| Police, medical, or court papers | May help with protection orders, compensation, housing, or work issues. | Do not delay safety. Ask an advocate how to request copies later. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Posting plans online. Do not post your location, shelter name, court date, new school, or travel plans.
- Assuming every lease is covered. Private leases do not always have the same rules as federally assisted housing.
- Ignoring child support safety. Ask OCSE and DHS about safer handling before sharing information.
- Missing a hearing. If you cannot attend a protection order hearing, ask the clerk or legal aid what to do.
- Waiting for perfect papers. Ask what substitutes are allowed if documents are missing or unsafe to get.
Backup options if the first call does not work
If a shelter is full, ask the advocate to check nearby counties, nearby states, hotel options, or temporary local programs. If you cannot reach one hotline, try The Hotline, Arkansas 211, or another local program from the ACADV map.
If DHS says documents are missing, ask for the exact list in writing and ask whether a shelter, school, employer, doctor, or advocate can provide proof. If a landlord, housing authority, child support office, or benefits office ignores a safety request, contact legal aid.
If several bills are urgent, ASMOM’s Arkansas utility help and Arkansas community help may help you find local offices. If benefits are denied or closed, use the benefits appeal guide. If you are overwhelmed or thinking about harming yourself, contact the 988 Lifeline or go to emergency care.
Phone scripts
Calling a domestic violence program
“Hi, I’m a mother in Arkansas and I need to talk safely about domestic violence. I may need shelter or help making a plan. Can you tell me what options are available today and what information you need from me?”
Calling the circuit clerk
“Hi, I need to ask about filing for an order of protection. Where do I get the petition and affidavit, is there an advocate who can help, and what should I do if I am afraid to be in the same waiting area as the other person?”
Calling DHS
“Hi, I need to apply for benefits after a domestic violence situation. I am worried about my address and safe contact. How can I apply for SNAP, Medicaid or ARKids, and TEA while protecting my information?”
Calling child support
“Hi, I have safety concerns about the other parent. Before I give information or start a case, I need to ask what safety steps, confidentiality options, or good-cause process may apply.”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Si puede usar un teléfono seguro, llame a la Línea Nacional contra la Violencia Doméstica al 800-799-7233, envíe START al 88788, o contacte un refugio local en Arkansas. También puede llamar al 211 para buscar comida, vivienda, ayuda con renta, transporte y otros recursos.
Para una orden de protección, llame o vaya a la oficina del secretario del tribunal de circuito de su condado. Para SNAP, Medicaid, ARKids First o TEA, use Access Arkansas o una oficina local de DHS. Si pedir manutención infantil puede ponerle en peligro, pregunte a DHS y a Child Support sobre opciones de seguridad antes de compartir información.
FAQ
What should I do first if I am unsafe in Arkansas?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. If you can safely use a phone, contact The Hotline, a local Arkansas domestic violence program, or Arkansas 211. An advocate can help you think about shelter, children, transportation, pets, court, and safer communication.
Can I get an order of protection without paying?
The Arkansas Judiciary says there is no charge to file a petition for an order of protection. Filing happens through the circuit clerk’s office. Whether a judge grants a temporary or final order depends on the facts and the law.
Where can I find a domestic violence shelter in Arkansas?
Use the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence shelter map or contact The Hotline. Shelter addresses may be private. If one program is full, ask about nearby counties, transportation, and backup options.
Can child support be handled safely?
Sometimes. Arkansas OCSE has information for parents worried about family violence. Tell DHS and OCSE if cooperation, location sharing, court contact, or enforcement could create danger, and ask about safety steps or good cause.
What if I need benefits after leaving?
Use Access Arkansas or contact DHS to ask about SNAP, Medicaid, ARKids First, and TEA. Ask the Office of Early Childhood about child care help. Rules vary by household, income, documents, and program funding.
Can housing providers evict me because of abuse?
In some federally assisted housing, VAWA may protect survivors from being denied housing or evicted only because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Private rentals can have different rules, so ask legal aid.
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.