Last updated: June 19, 2026
Urgent help in Rhode Island
If you or your child is in immediate danger, call 911 or text 911 if calling is not safe. Rhode Island E-911 is the statewide emergency system, and text-to-911 is available for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
For confidential victim help in Rhode Island, call the Rhode Island Victims of Crime Helpline at 1-800-494-8100 or use the live chat through Rhode Island Helpline. You can also call the National Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat.
If your phone, browser, email, car, location sharing, or accounts may be watched, use a safer device when you can. A local advocate can help you think through safer contact times, shelter, court, transportation, benefits, school, work, and children’s needs without forcing you into one path.
Bottom line
Rhode Island has a statewide 24/7 helpline for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, hate crimes, and other victim support needs. The fastest first call for many survivors is 1-800-494-8100. Advocates can connect you with local domestic violence agencies, emergency shelter screening, court support, safety planning, hospital or police advocacy, and referrals for benefits or legal help.
If you are a single mother, you may also need food, child care, safe housing, health care, time away from work, school support, or help with a protection order. Those needs may go through different offices. This guide shows where to start, what to ask for, what documents may help, and what to do when one door does not work.
This page is general information only. It is not legal advice, safety advice, or a personal safety plan. For a national overview, see ASMOM’s domestic violence guide.
Where to start
Start with the problem that could become dangerous first. That may be physical safety, a child safety concern, a place to sleep, a protection order, a lockout, a missed benefits interview, or a phone controlled by the person hurting you.
| If this is happening | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| You or your child may be hurt soon | 911, or text 911 if safer | Emergency help where you are |
| You need confidential survivor help | Rhode Island Helpline | Safety planning, shelter screening, local agency referral |
| You need a court order | Court advocate, Family Court, or District Court | Help choosing the right court and forms |
| You have no safe place to stay | Helpline first if abuse is involved | Domestic violence shelter, hotel options, or housing referral |
| You are losing food, cash, child care, or Medicaid | DHS and Family Violence Option | Safe contact, waiver review, benefit help |
| You have eviction, custody, or benefits papers | Legal aid or a court advocate | Legal screening and next deadlines |
Safety note
Do not rely on a website checklist as your safety plan. A plan that helps one person may put another person at risk. Call an advocate through RICADV help or the Rhode Island Helpline to talk through your real situation.
Quick contacts to save
Use the contact that matches the immediate need. If a line is busy, try again, use another safe contact method, or ask 211 to help you find a warm handoff.
| Need | Contact | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, victim help | 1-800-494-8100 | Rhode Island 24/7 helpline, shelter screening, advocacy, live chat |
| National domestic violence support | 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 | Confidential support, safety planning, referrals, and chat |
| Food, rent, utilities, transportation, local referrals | Dial 211 | Community resources, shelter referrals, food pantries, legal and tax help |
| Child abuse or neglect report | 1-800-RI-CHILD or 1-800-742-4453 | DCYF child abuse hotline, 24/7 |
| Sexual assault or trafficking support | Helpline or Day One | Hospital, police, advocacy, counseling, and survivor support |
United Way’s 211 Rhode Island can help with local food, shelter, utility, transportation, legal, tax, and family resources. For child safety reports, use the official DCYF hotline.
Local domestic violence help in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence supports member agencies across the state. RICADV does not replace emergency services, but its network can connect survivors with confidential advocacy, shelter, court help, counseling, housing support, and referrals. Start with the statewide helpline if you are not sure which agency serves your area.
Statewide first call
Call 1-800-494-8100 for the Rhode Island Victims of Crime Helpline. Ask for the domestic violence agency serving your city or town.
Sexual assault or trafficking
Ask the helpline about Day One services, hospital advocacy, police advocacy, counseling, and support for children and teens.
LGBTQ+ survivors
Ask for an agency that can support your safety, identity, housing needs, and privacy. You do not have to explain everything before asking for a safe referral.
| Resource | What it may help with | How to start |
|---|---|---|
| RICADV agencies | Advocacy, shelter, court support, safety planning, children’s help | Call 1-800-494-8100 or use RICADV’s help page |
| Day One | Sexual assault, exploitation, trafficking, hospital and police advocacy | Use the helpline or Day One immediate help |
| Sojourner House | Domestic abuse, sexual violence, trafficking, housing, support groups | Call its 24/7 help line or contact the agency |
| Crossroads DV program | Emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, advocacy, support groups, children’s services | Call the Crossroads 24-hour helpline |
Local availability changes. Shelters can be full. If the first agency cannot place you, ask the advocate to help call another agency, 211, or a Regional Access Point with you.
Protection orders in Rhode Island
A protection order is a court order. It may tell another person not to abuse, threaten, contact, or come near you. Depending on the case, it may also affect housing, children, firearms, and communication. This is legal information, not legal advice.
Rhode Island court choice can depend on your relationship to the other person and the facts of the case. Family Court handles certain domestic relations and restraining order matters, including complaints alleging domestic abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and complaints when either party is a juvenile. District Court handles domestic abuse restraining orders for certain adult relationship situations and says domestic violence advocates are available in its courthouses to help with forms.
Review the official Family Court page and District Court page, but talk with a court advocate, clerk, or legal aid office before filing if you are unsure.
| Question | Why it matters | Who can help |
|---|---|---|
| Are you related, married, formerly married, living together, or parenting together? | The right court can depend on the relationship. | Court clerk, court advocate, legal aid |
| Is either person under 18? | Juvenile involvement can change the court path. | Family Court clerk or advocate |
| Do you need custody, safe exchange, or home possession addressed? | Some orders can include family-related protections. | Legal aid or court advocate |
| Do you have criminal no-contact paperwork? | A criminal order and a civil restraining order are not the same. | Victim advocate or legal aid |
Before you go to court
If possible, call an advocate first. Ask what court to use, what forms to bring, how to keep your address private, whether child care is an issue, and what happens after a temporary order request.
For legal screening, contact Rhode Island Legal Services or review ASMOM’s Rhode Island legal help guide.
Shelter, housing, and staying housed
If abuse is the reason you need to leave, start with the Rhode Island Helpline or a domestic violence advocate. Domestic violence shelter is not the same as general homeless shelter. An advocate may know confidential shelter options and safer transportation steps.
RICADV’s shelter housing information points survivors to the statewide helpline. If domestic violence shelter is not available or does not fit your situation, Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Housing uses Regional Access Points for people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.
If you live in HUD-assisted housing, have a Housing Choice Voucher, or live in another covered housing program, federal HUD VAWA rights may protect you from being denied housing, evicted, or losing assistance just because you experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. You may also be able to ask for an emergency transfer. Start with an advocate, your housing provider, or legal aid before sharing details widely.
Housing mistakes to avoid
- Leaving a subsidized unit without asking about VAWA rights first, if it is safe to ask.
- Assuming a landlord, housing authority, or shelter already knows you need privacy.
- Missing court or housing deadlines because you are waiting for one office to call back.
- Giving a new address to unsafe people or to paperwork that may be shared.
For more housing paths, use ASMOM’s Rhode Island housing and emergency assistance guides.
Benefits, child support, and work issues
Domestic violence can make normal benefit rules unsafe. You may have trouble attending appointments, cooperating with child support, meeting work requirements, keeping child care, answering calls, or using a shared mailing address. Tell DHS that domestic violence affects your case and ask about the Family Violence Option Advocacy Program.
The Family Violence Option assists DHS clients who are domestic violence victims or survivors. It works with DHS, RICADV, RI Works, and the Child Care Assistance Program. Through this program, some clients may be able to get waivers from certain RI Works or CCAP requirements. The program can also assist with safety planning and referrals.
| Problem | Ask for | Related ASMOM guide |
|---|---|---|
| No money for basics | RI Works screening and Family Violence Option review | RI Works guide |
| No food or missed SNAP interview | SNAP help, safe phone number, replacement interview | SNAP help |
| Pregnant, breastfeeding, or child under 5 | WIC appointment and safe contact notes | WIC guide |
| No health insurance | Medicaid or HealthSource RI screening | health care help |
| Child care is unsafe or lost | CCAP safety review, FVOAP, school or advocate help | family safety help |
Rhode Island workers may be able to use earned sick and safe leave for needs related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The state labor department explains this on its safe leave page. If your job is at risk, ask an advocate or legal aid before sharing details with your employer.
Documents and information to gather if safe
Do not risk your safety to collect papers. If you cannot get documents, tell the advocate, court clerk, DHS worker, or legal aid office what you cannot access and why.
| For this need | Helpful information | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Helpline or shelter | Safe callback number, city, children’s ages, pets, medicines, urgent risks | You can still call without documents. |
| Court order | Dates, threats, police reports, photos, messages, witness names, child concerns | Ask how to keep your address private. |
| DHS benefits | ID, children’s information, income, rent, utilities, safe mailing address | Ask for safe contact notes and FVOAP review. |
| Housing transfer | Lease, voucher letters, housing provider name, unsafe incidents, transfer request | VAWA paperwork rules vary by housing program. |
| Crime victim help | Police report, no-contact order, medical bills, counseling bills, lost wage proof | Deadlines and eligibility rules apply. |
If you need a safer mailing address, Rhode Island’s Address Confidentiality Program may help eligible survivors use a substitute address and protected records service. If you have expenses from a violent crime, Rhode Island’s Crime Victim Compensation program may reimburse some eligible costs. Ask an advocate to help you review deadlines before you apply.
ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you organize papers without putting everything in one unsafe place.
Phone scripts you can use
Change these words so they fit your situation. If speaking is unsafe, use chat or ask a trusted person to sit with you while you call.
Calling the Rhode Island Helpline
“I am a single mother in Rhode Island. I am dealing with domestic violence and I need confidential help. I need to talk about safe shelter, my children, and what to do next. My safe callback number is ____. Is it safe for you to leave a voicemail or text?”
Calling a court advocate
“I need help figuring out whether Family Court or District Court is the right place for a restraining order. I have children and I am worried about safety. Can an advocate explain the process and what papers I should bring?”
Calling DHS
“Domestic violence is affecting my RI Works, SNAP, child care, or child support requirements. I need safe contact notes on my case and I want to speak with the Family Violence Option Advocacy Program.”
Calling your housing provider
“I am asking about VAWA protections because domestic violence is affecting my housing. I need to know how to request an emergency transfer or other protection, and how my information will be kept private.”
What to do if the first plan does not work
It is common to hit full voicemail boxes, shelter shortages, court confusion, or missing paperwork. That does not mean you did anything wrong. Try another safe door the same day.
Backup options
- If the local agency cannot place you, ask the advocate to call the statewide helpline or another agency with you.
- If domestic violence shelter is full, ask about Regional Access Points, 211, family shelter, and safe transportation options.
- If DHS says you must cooperate with child support or work requirements, ask for the Family Violence Option review in writing if safe.
- If your landlord or housing authority does not understand VAWA, ask legal aid or an advocate to help you make the request.
- If you are overwhelmed by calls, ask one advocate to help you make a short call list and decide the safest order.
For non-government local help, use ASMOM’s community support page. If technology safety is part of the problem, ASMOM’s phone and internet guide may help you think through lower-cost service options.
Resumen en espanol
Si usted o sus hijos estan en peligro inmediato, llame al 911 o envie un texto al 911 si hablar no es seguro. Para ayuda confidencial en Rhode Island, llame a la linea estatal para victimas al 1-800-494-8100. Tambien puede llamar a la Linea Nacional de Violencia Domestica al 1-800-799-7233 o enviar START al 88788.
Un defensor puede ayudarle con refugio, corte, planificacion de seguridad, vivienda, beneficios, transporte y apoyo para sus hijos. Si necesita RI Works, SNAP, cuidado infantil o Medicaid, diga que la violencia domestica afecta su caso y pregunte por Family Violence Option. Esta pagina es informacion general y no es consejo legal ni un plan de seguridad personal.
Questions single mothers ask in Rhode Island
Who should I call first for domestic violence help in Rhode Island?
Call the Rhode Island Victims of Crime Helpline at 1-800-494-8100 if you need confidential domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, shelter, or victim support. Call 911 if you or your child is in immediate danger.
Can I get a restraining order in Rhode Island without a lawyer?
Many people file without a lawyer, but you should ask a court advocate, clerk, or legal aid office which court and forms fit your situation. The right path can depend on your relationship, children, and the facts of the case.
Can domestic violence affect RI Works or child care rules?
Yes. Rhode Island’s Family Violence Option Advocacy Program helps some DHS clients who are domestic violence survivors and may help with waiver review for certain RI Works or Child Care Assistance Program requirements.
What if I live in subsidized housing or have a voucher?
Federal VAWA housing protections may apply if you live in covered housing. You may be able to ask for protection from eviction, termination, or an emergency transfer related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Can I keep my address private in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has an Address Confidentiality Program for eligible survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, trafficking, or abuse. Ask an advocate whether this program fits your situation before changing addresses or filing papers.
What if shelters are full?
Ask the helpline or local advocate to keep looking statewide and to connect you with 211, Regional Access Points, legal aid, or other safe housing options. Availability changes often, so it may take more than one call.
Can I take time off work for domestic violence needs in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island sick and safe leave rules may allow earned leave for needs related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Ask an advocate or legal aid how to protect privacy before sharing details with an employer.
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.