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Domestic Violence Resources and Safety for Single Mothers in Virginia

Last updated: November 4, 2026

If you are in danger right now

Call

911

if you or your children are in immediate danger. If this page, your phone, your email, or your location may be watched, use a safer phone or computer when you can. A trusted neighbor, clinic, school, library, shelter, court, or public office may be safer than your own device.

The

Virginia statewide hotline

is free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day. Call

1-800-838-8238

, text

804-793-9999

, or use chat from a safer device. Interpretation is available. Ask for a local advocate, safe shelter options, or help with children. You may call without leaving or reporting to police.

You can also call or text

988 Lifeline

if you are in a mental health crisis or fear you may hurt yourself. If sexual assault is part of what happened, call

RAINN’s hotline

at

800-656-4673

or text

HOPE

to

64673

. Use a device that feels safe.

This guide is general information. It is not legal advice, safety advice, medical advice, or a promise that a shelter bed, court order, benefit, or payment will be available.

Bottom line

Single mothers in Virginia can ask for domestic violence help through the statewide hotline, local advocacy programs, courts, legal aid, victim funds, housing protections, public benefits, and local services. You do not have to have every paper ready before asking for help. You also do not have to call police, leave today, or stay in shelter to talk with an advocate.

The safest first step is often to contact a confidential advocate before making big changes. An advocate can help you think through children, shelter, transportation, court, address privacy, work, school, benefits, and phone safety. If the first program is full or cannot help, ask for another referral.

For a broader national overview, see ASMOM’s

domestic violence help

guide. For fast needs in this state, see

Virginia emergency help

.

What has changed in this guide

We checked Virginia’s hotline contacts and current state guidance. This update adds the hotline’s language help, the Address Confidentiality Program’s limits, and details on payment for sexual assault forensic exams. It also explains how to ask about child support cooperation when safety is at risk. No new benefits are promised.

Where to start in Virginia

Choose the first step that fits your situation. Skip anything that feels unsafe. If you can only make one call, call or text the Virginia hotline and ask for the local program that serves your city or county.

If you need to talk safely

Call or text the statewide hotline. Ask for a local advocate, shelter options, court support, transportation help, or safer contact ideas.

If you need court protection

Use the Virginia courts’

court self-help

page or

I-CAN Virginia

to understand protective order forms and steps.

If you need benefits

Use

CommonHelp

to apply for or manage SNAP, TANF, child care, energy assistance, and health coverage.

If you need local services

Use

211 Virginia

for food, rent, transportation, health care, shelter, and other community resources by ZIP code.

Quick contacts for Virginia

Use this table as a starting point. If someone may be watching your phone or browser, use a safer device or ask a trusted person to make the call with you.

Need Where to start What to ask
Immediate danger 911 Ask for police, fire, or medical help now.
Domestic or sexual violence 1-800-838-8238 or text 804-793-9999 Ask for a local advocate, shelter, or court support.
Local programs
Get Help map
 		Search for agencies that serve your area.
Food, rent, utilities 2-1-1 or text CONNECT to 247211 Ask what is open near your ZIP code today.
Child abuse concerns
Virginia CPS
 		Call 911 for emergencies or the CPS hotline for reports.
Mental health crisis 988 Call, text, or chat if you cannot stay safe.

Local domestic violence programs in Virginia

Virginia has local domestic violence and sexual assault programs across the state. Services may include hotline help, crisis support, safety planning, shelter, transportation, court advocacy, counseling referrals, and help for children. The

VDSS domestic violence

page says local programs provide safe, trauma-informed, accessible services for survivors and their children.

The statewide hotline can help you find the program that serves your area. This matters because shelter beds, advocates, legal clinics, and transportation help are local. A program in Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, Hampton Roads, or a rural county may have different options.

If calling is hard

Text the hotline, use chat from a safer device, or ask 2-1-1 for local resources. If you are afraid a callback could put you at risk, say that at the start of the call or text.

Protective orders in Virginia

A protective order is a court order. It may tell the other person not to contact you, not to come near you, or not to enter a shared home. The exact terms depend on the judge and the facts of the case.

Virginia courts describe two main protective order paths. A family abuse protective order is heard in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. A non-family abuse protective order is heard in General District Court. A local advocate, court clerk, or legal aid lawyer can help you think through which path fits.

Order type Common use Where to ask Reality check
Emergency Protective Order Immediate danger after an incident. Police, magistrate, or judge. It is short-term. Ask what to do before it expires.
Preliminary Protective Order Temporary protection before a full hearing. Local court. You may need to return for another hearing soon.
Final Protective Order Longer protection after a hearing. Court after notice and hearing. The other person may appear in court.


I-CAN Virginia

is a free court tool for filling out protective order forms. It also has Spanish options. Virginia’s

protective order guide

explains that you do not have to file criminal charges to ask for a protective order. Ask the clerk how and when the other person will get notice of the case, and when your hearing will be. A protective order is not a promise of safety. If using online forms puts you at risk, ask an advocate or clerk for help in person.

Custody and safety warning

Protective orders, custody cases, child support, and divorce can overlap. Before you agree to visits, exchanges, mediation, or a parenting plan, ask an advocate or attorney how to raise safety concerns with the court.

Shelter, safe housing, and address privacy

Shelter beds can fill quickly. The hotline can search for the closest safe option and may know which programs serve your city or county. Some programs also help with transportation, safety planning, counseling referrals, court advocacy, and children’s needs.

If you live in public housing, have a Housing Choice Voucher, or live in another covered program, federal

VAWA housing rights

may protect you against being denied housing or evicted because you experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Covered tenants may request an emergency transfer if they meet the rules. A transfer is not guaranteed when no safe unit is open. Providers may use

HUD Form 5382

for self-certification. Ask a housing advocate or legal aid lawyer before giving documents that could put you at risk.

If you have moved to an address that the abuser does not know, ask an advocate about Virginia’s

Address Confidentiality Program

. Eligible survivors can use a substitute address for state and local agency mail. You apply with help from a trained local program or victim-witness office. It is not open to everyone: your address must be unknown to the abuser, and other rules apply. It does not hide old records or make your location fully private. Call

804-482-2280

for program questions.

Housing reality check

Emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, vouchers, and rental help depend on local funding and space. If one agency says no, ask for another referral and call 2-1-1 for a search by ZIP code.

For related housing steps, see ASMOM’s

Virginia housing help

guide. If lights, heat, or bills are part of the crisis, see
Virginia utility help
.

Food, cash, child care, and health coverage

Leaving abuse can disrupt work, child care, transportation, food, and documents. Public benefits are not instant, but applying early can help. Virginia’s

benefit programs

page says VDSS offers food, health care, child care, cash assistance, and energy help. CommonHelp can be used to apply, renew, report changes, and manage cases.

Program What it may help with Where to start Important note
SNAP Food benefits on an EBT card. CommonHelp or local DSS. Ask about missing proof and deadlines.
TANF Cash help and work supports. CommonHelp or local DSS. Rules vary by family and case details.
Child Care Subsidy Help paying child care costs.
Child Care VA

. 		Provider rules, waitlists, and copays can apply.
Medicaid/FAMIS Health coverage for eligible adults, children, and pregnancy.
Cover Virginia

. 		Renewal papers matter. Do not ignore notices.
Energy Assistance Help with heating, cooling, or crisis energy needs. CommonHelp or local DSS. Seasonal windows and crisis rules may apply.

ASMOM has state guides for

Virginia SNAP

,

Virginia TANF

,
Virginia health care
, and
Virginia child care
.

Medical care, sexual assault exams, and victim funds

If you were hurt, strangled, sexually assaulted, drugged, or threatened with a weapon, medical care can matter even if you are not sure you want to report to police. A hotline advocate can help you find a hospital, forensic nurse, or sexual assault program.

Virginia’s

SAFE Payment Program

helps pay for the evidence-collection part of a sexual assault forensic exam. You can request this exam without filing a police report. The program does not pay for every kind of medical visit; limits and special rules apply, especially for exams more than 120 hours after the assault. The health care provider handles the SAFE billing. If you get a bill for covered exam costs, ask the provider or call

1-800-552-4007

. The

Virginia Victims Fund

may help some crime victims with eligible medical, counseling, moving, or other costs, but separate claim rules apply. Ask a victim advocate about filing and proof.

Victim funds have rules, forms, deadlines, and documentation needs. VVF also says it is a payor of last resort, which means other resources may be considered first. If you are overwhelmed, ask a victim/witness advocate, domestic violence advocate, sexual assault advocate, or legal aid office for help.

Documents and information to gather if safe

Only gather documents if it will not put you or your children in more danger. You can ask for help before you have every paper. If you are applying for several programs, ASMOM’s
documents checklist
can help you organize what to collect later.

Item Why it may help Do not risk
IDs and birth records Benefits, school, housing, court, banking. Your safety to retrieve papers.
Benefit cards and case numbers SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, child care, WIC. Taking a card if it alerts the abuser.
Lease and utility bills VAWA rights, rent help, utility help. Going back alone for papers.
Court papers Police, schools, child care, housing office. Sharing copies with unsafe people.
Safe contact list Schools, doctors, lawyers, advocates. Saving names in a watched phone.

If you are denied, delayed, or ignored

It is common to hear that a shelter is full, an appointment is weeks away, or an office needs more paperwork. This does not mean you are out of options.

  • Ask the hotline for another local program, not just one shelter.
  • Ask DSS what proof is missing and how to submit it safely.
  • Ask legal aid whether there is a deadline or hearing date you should not miss.
  • Ask 2-1-1 to search nearby counties if your city has no funding.
  • Keep notes with names, dates, and what each office said, if safe.

ASMOM also has guides for

Virginia community help

,

Virginia baby gear

, and the national
denied benefits guide
.

Common mistakes to avoid


  • Assuming a shelter bed is open.

    Call first if it is safe, or ask the hotline to check for you.

  • Skipping court dates.

    Ask the court, advocate, or lawyer what happens if you miss a protective order hearing.

  • Filing child support too fast.

    Child support can help, but it can also raise safety or address concerns.

  • Ignoring benefit mail.

    SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care, and court notices may have deadlines.

  • Posting your location.

    Do not post your shelter area, new school, work site, or court date online.

Phone scripts you can use

Calling the Virginia hotline

“I am a single mother in Virginia. I may not be safe at home. I need help finding local options for shelter, transportation, court advocacy, and a safer plan. It may not be safe to call me back.”

Calling legal aid

“I need help with a domestic violence situation involving children, housing, or a protective order. I have a hearing or deadline coming up. Can I do intake today, and what papers should I have ready?”

Calling a housing worker

“I am asking about VAWA housing protections because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Please tell me how to request an emergency transfer or submit self-certification.”

Calling DSS or CommonHelp

“I need to apply for SNAP, TANF, child care, energy help, or Medicaid after a safety crisis. What documents do you need, and is there emergency processing or local office help available?”

Resumen en español

Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al

911

. En Virginia, puede llamar a la línea estatal de violencia doméstica y sexual al

1-800-838-8238

o enviar texto al

804-793-9999

. La ayuda es confidencial y está disponible todo el día.

Puede pedir ayuda con refugio, transporte, órdenes de protección, asistencia legal, comida, cuidado infantil, vivienda y beneficios. Si no es seguro hablar por teléfono, use un teléfono más seguro o pida ayuda por texto cuando pueda.

FAQ

Can I get help if I am not ready to leave?

Yes. You can call or text the Virginia hotline even if you are not ready to leave, report to police, or file in court. An advocate can talk through options without forcing a choice.

Do I have to call police to get shelter?

Usually no. Domestic violence programs often help people who have not called police. Shelter depends on space, safety fit, and local program rules.

Can a protective order include my children?

It may, depending on the facts and the judge’s order. Ask a court clerk, advocate, or lawyer how to request protection for children in your case.

What if I live in subsidized housing?

You may have federal VAWA housing protections. Ask your housing provider for VAWA forms and talk to legal aid if you are denied, threatened with eviction, or need an emergency transfer.

Can I apply for benefits after leaving?

Yes. You can use CommonHelp to apply for SNAP, TANF, child care, energy help, and health coverage. Processing times and proof rules vary by program.

Should I apply for child support right away?

Not always. Child support can be important, but it can also create safety or address concerns. Talk to a lawyer or advocate first if the other parent is abusive.

Review dates

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:

Core hotline, court, housing, and victim-fund guidance checked October 21, 2026. Next review February 2, 2027.


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.

Last updated: November 4, 2026   Next review: February 2, 2027