Last updated: June 19, 2026
Urgent help first
If you or your children are in danger right now, call 911. If it is safer to talk with a trained advocate first, call Massachusetts SafeLink at 877-785-2020. SafeLink is the statewide domestic violence hotline. The official SafeLink page says Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers can use video relay with the main number or TTY at 877-521-2601.
You can also contact the National Hotline at 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat. If it is not safe to use your own phone or device, use a safer phone, a trusted person’s device, or a public device where your activity is less likely to be seen.
Safety note: Phone, computer, browser, location, and app use can be monitored. Use a safer device if possible. Do not clear history if doing so may make someone suspicious. Ask an advocate for help with digital safety.
This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or a personal safety plan.
Bottom line
Massachusetts has several real help paths for mothers dealing with abuse: SafeLink, local domestic violence programs, 209A abuse prevention orders, 258E harassment prevention orders, EA Family Shelter, RAFT, DTA Domestic Violence Specialists, legal aid, victim compensation, and address privacy help.
Start with the safest contact method. You do not need every document before asking for help.
For broader state help with food, rent, child care, utilities, health care, or cash aid, use the ASMOM Massachusetts help guide after you have a safer way to read and call. For national safety planning basics, use our domestic violence hub.
Where to start in Massachusetts
Domestic violence can include physical harm, threats, sexual abuse, stalking, isolation, financial control, technology abuse, and fear-based control. A trained advocate can explain options without forcing you to take a step you are not ready to take.
If you need safety support
Call SafeLink at 877-785-2020 or use SafeLink chat. Ask for safety planning, shelter referrals, and local domestic violence programs near your town.
If you need court protection
Ask a court clerk about a 209A abuse prevention order or a 258E harassment prevention order. A SAFEPLAN advocate may be able to help at some courts.
If you need a place tonight
Call 911 for immediate danger. Call SafeLink for domestic violence shelter referrals. If you are pregnant or have children under 21 and have no safe place to stay, also ask about EA Family Shelter.
If money is controlled
Contact DTA and ask for a Domestic Violence Specialist. They can talk about TAFDC, SNAP, child support cooperation concerns, and good cause rules.
Quick reference table
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | Call 911 and say you need help for domestic violence. | Use the safest phone available. Share your location first if you can. |
| Confidential safety support | Call SafeLink at 877-785-2020. | Shelter space can change by the hour. Ask about backup options. |
| Restraining order | Ask the court about a 209A abuse prevention order. | A court order is one tool. Ask an advocate about safe service and follow-up. |
| Harassment or stalking | Ask whether a 258E harassment prevention order fits. | Relationship rules differ from 209A. The court can explain the filing path. |
| No safe housing | Call SafeLink and apply for EA Family Shelter if you have children or are pregnant. | The family shelter system has capacity limits and contact-list rules. |
| Food or cash help | Use DTA Connect or call DTA and ask about DV support. | Tell DTA if child support, work rules, or appointments are unsafe. |
Hotlines and local advocates
SafeLink is usually the best first call for domestic violence in Massachusetts. It can connect you with local domestic violence programs, shelter openings, safety planning, and other community resources. Jane Doe Inc. also has a program finder for domestic violence and sexual assault services by area.
Massachusetts 2-1-1 can help with food, shelter, utilities, transportation, child care, and other local needs. Call 2-1-1 or 877-211-6277, or use Mass 211 online. For domestic violence-specific help, SafeLink is still the better first call.
Protection orders and court help
Massachusetts has two common civil protection-order paths. A 209A abuse prevention order is for abuse by certain family, household, dating, spouse, former spouse, or co-parent relationships. A 258E harassment prevention order may fit harassment, stalking, or sexual assault when the relationship does not fit 209A.
The Massachusetts Trial Court has official 209A forms and official steps to request 258E. Massachusetts Legal Help also has plain-language guides on 209A orders and 258E orders.
Ask for help at court
Ask the clerk if a SAFEPLAN advocate is available. MOVA describes SAFEPLAN advocates as trained court-based advocates who help people seeking protection from abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. They are not your lawyer, but they may help you understand forms and local steps.
| Question | 209A order | 258E order |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is usually for | Abuse by a family member, household member, co-parent, spouse, former spouse, or dating partner. | Harassment, stalking, or sexual assault when the relationship may not fit 209A. |
| Where to ask | District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court, or Superior Court. | District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Superior Court. |
| What to bring | ID if you have it, safe contact information, children’s information, and safe records. | ID if you have it, safe contact information, details of incidents, and safe records. |
| Important note | Ask how to protect your address and how service will happen. | Ask which facts are needed for harassment, stalking, or sexual assault. |
For legal advice, use the legal aid finder or ask the court about a Court Service Center. If you can, talk with a domestic violence advocate before filing so you can think through safe contact information, service of papers, child pickup, school safety, and what to do after the hearing. For state-specific next steps, see ASMOM’s Massachusetts legal help page.
Privacy, phones, and documents
If you have moved or plan to move, the Massachusetts Address Confidentiality Program may help keep your real address out of some public records. The Secretary of the Commonwealth says the Address Confidentiality Program gives eligible survivors a protected mailing address to use with state and municipal agencies.
| Keep if safe | Why it may help | Safety note |
|---|---|---|
| Photos or messages | May support court, housing, or benefits steps. | Store only where the abuser cannot access them. |
| Police, medical, or court papers | May help with orders, housing, leave, or compensation. | Ask an advocate where to keep copies. |
| Receipts for costs | May help with victim compensation. | Do not keep papers where they can be found. |
Bring only what you can safely access. Do not go back to an unsafe place for papers. Our documents checklist can help later, after immediate safety is handled.
Shelter and housing help
If you are fleeing abuse, call SafeLink first for domestic violence shelter referrals. Domestic violence shelters are different from general homeless shelters because they focus on safety, confidentiality, advocacy, and support for survivors and children.
If you are pregnant or have children under 21 and have no safe place to stay, review EA Family Shelter. The state says families can apply online through the Housing Help Hub. Massachusetts also says the EA family shelter system has a capacity limit and a shelter contact list, so respond quickly to calls, texts, emails, or portal notices.
RAFT can help some households with rent, utilities, moving costs, mortgage costs, or other housing emergencies. Start with the official RAFT application. If it is unsafe to contact your landlord, gather papers, or explain the abuse yourself, ask a domestic violence advocate or legal aid office to help.
If you have subsidized housing, HUD’s VAWA housing page explains protections tied to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Housing reality check
Shelter and rent-help systems can be full, slow, or hard to reach. Apply anyway if you may qualify, but also ask SafeLink, Mass 211, legal aid, school staff, hospital social workers, and local agencies about backup options. Do not rely on one application if you have no safe place to sleep.
For more local steps, use ASMOM’s Massachusetts housing help and emergency help pages.
Food and cash help
Abuse can block money, food, transportation, documents, child care, and health care. The official DTA DV services page says DTA can help if you are now or have ever experienced domestic violence. DTA policy also explains good cause for some program rules.
You can apply for SNAP, TAFDC, and EAEDC through DTA Connect. You can also call the DTA Assistance Line at 877-382-2363. If child support cooperation is unsafe, or if work rules or appointments are unsafe because of abuse, say: “I need to speak with a Domestic Violence Specialist.”
For health coverage, use the state page to apply for MassHealth. If you need medical care after assault or injury, ask for a social worker and domestic violence advocate connection.
| Help type | Where to start | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP food help | DTA Connect or DTA Assistance Line | “I need food help and my situation involves domestic violence.” |
| TAFDC cash help | DTA Connect or DTA office | “Child support or work rules may not be safe for me.” |
| WIC | Local WIC office or state WIC resources | “I need nutrition help for pregnancy, a baby, or a young child.” |
| MassHealth | MassHealth application help | “I need health coverage and safe contact information.” |
| Child care | Mass 211 or the state child care system | “I need safe child care because of domestic violence.” |
Related ASMOM pages can help you plan the next steps: SNAP help, TAFDC help, health care, child care, and WIC help.
Work, school, and child safety
Massachusetts has a domestic violence leave law for some workers. The state says employers with 50 or more workers must allow up to 15 days of leave in a 12-month period when an employee or family member is dealing with abusive behavior and the time is for medical care, counseling, victim services, legal help, housing, protective orders, court, or related needs. Read the DV leave law resource before you share details with an employer.
If your child’s school or child care program needs a copy of a court order, ask the court or advocate how to share it safely. Ask the school about pickup rules, emergency contacts, bus stop safety, address privacy, and who can receive information. If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, the state’s DCF report page explains how to report. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
If abuse caused medical, counseling, lost-wage, home-security, or other crime-related costs, ask about Massachusetts victim compensation. MOVA says funds can help with expenses up to $25,000 per crime and are funds of last resort.
If child support could create safety problems, ask legal aid, DTA, or an advocate before sharing contact details. Our Massachusetts child support guide explains the basic process.
If you are denied, delayed, ignored, or overwhelmed
Many survivors have to ask more than once. A denial or long wait may mean the office needs another document, the wrong program was contacted, the worker missed the safety risk, or funding is limited.
- For court problems: ask for a SAFEPLAN advocate, Court Service Center, legal aid, or lawyer referral.
- For DTA problems: ask for a Domestic Violence Specialist, a supervisor callback, or help from legal aid.
- For shelter problems: keep checking SafeLink, EA Family Shelter notices, and Mass 211. Update safe contact details quickly.
- For housing problems: ask RAFT, legal aid, a housing authority, or a local Housing Consumer Education Center what else may fit.
- For language access: ask for an interpreter. Courts and public benefit offices should not make a child interpret for you.
For benefits notices, appeals, missed documents, and closed cases, our benefits problem guide can help you organize the next call.
Backup options
Use backup options when the first line is full, closed, or not safe to use. Try the National Hotline, Mass 211, legal aid, DTA, a school social worker, or a hospital social worker while you keep working with SafeLink.
For local help beyond domestic violence programs, see ASMOM’s Massachusetts community support page, and the national community action guide.
Phone scripts
Calling SafeLink
“Hi, I’m a single mother in Massachusetts. I’m dealing with domestic violence and I need help thinking through safe options. I may need shelter or a local advocate. I need to keep my location and contact information private.”
Calling the court clerk
“I need information about filing for a 209A abuse prevention order or a 258E harassment prevention order. Is a SAFEPLAN advocate available today? I also need to know how to keep my address confidential.”
Calling DTA
“I receive or need SNAP or TAFDC, and domestic violence affects my case. I need to speak with a Domestic Violence Specialist about safe contact, good cause, and any rules that may put me or my children at risk.”
Calling housing help
“I am fleeing domestic violence with my children and need help with shelter or housing costs. What application should I start, what documents are required, and how can I protect my address and phone number?”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda confidencial por violencia doméstica en Massachusetts, llame a SafeLink al 877-785-2020. También puede llamar a la LÃnea Nacional de Violencia Doméstica al 800-799-7233 o enviar START al 88788.
Puede pedir ayuda con refugio, órdenes de protección, comida, dinero, vivienda, beneficios, cuidado médico y ayuda legal. Si no es seguro usar su teléfono, use un teléfono seguro o pida ayuda a una persona de confianza, escuela, clÃnica, corte o programa local.
Questions single mothers ask in Massachusetts
What number should I call for domestic violence help in Massachusetts?
Call SafeLink at 877-785-2020 for statewide domestic violence support. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
Can I get help if I am not ready to leave?
Yes. You can call SafeLink or a local domestic violence program to talk about options, safety planning, documents, children, money, housing, and legal help. You do not have to be ready to leave to ask questions.
What is a 209A order?
A 209A abuse prevention order is a Massachusetts court order for abuse involving certain family, household, dating, spouse, former spouse, or co-parent relationships. A court clerk, SAFEPLAN advocate, or legal aid office can explain filing steps.
What if the person harassing me is not a partner or family member?
Ask the court whether a 258E harassment prevention order fits. It may apply to harassment, stalking, or sexual assault when the relationship does not fit 209A.
Can DTA help if domestic violence affects my benefits?
Yes. Ask DTA for a Domestic Violence Specialist. They can discuss safe contact, TAFDC, SNAP, child support cooperation concerns, and good cause rules when domestic violence affects a case.
Can I hide my address after moving?
The Massachusetts Address Confidentiality Program may help eligible survivors use a protected mailing address with state and municipal agencies. Ask a domestic violence advocate or the program how to apply safely.
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 19, 2026, next review September 19, 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.