If you know someone who is a domestic violence victim and are not quite sure how to help, the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence has an excellent guide for friends and family of abuse victims and how they can help a victim. The guide is also available in Arabic, Chinese and Russian and can be downloaded and printed out.

The US-based National Domestic Violence Hotline also has some advice on how you can help a friend or family member who is a victim of abuse.

Several international organizations are campaigning for a violence-free world and can be a helpful starting point for those looking for more information or help.

• End Violence Against Women International
• Hot Peach Pages International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies
• Say No To Violence
• United Nations Secretary General’s Campaign To End Violence Against Women

Organizations across the world work hard to help victims of domestic violence victims whether it be by providing them with basic information or helping them move on with their lives. Below is a list of help lines & organizations that you might find useful.

• If you are in an Asian country, click here for a list of help resources
• If you are in Australia, click here for a list of help resources
• If you are in Canada, click here for a list of help resources
• If you are in Europe, click here for a list of help resources
• If you are in the UK, click here for a list of help resources
• If you are in USA, click here for a list of help resources

• China:  Anti-Domestic Violence Network of China Law Society
• India: International Foundation For Crime Prevention and Victim Care
   : Swayam
• Indonesia: Mitra Perempuan Women’s Crisis CentreHelpline: (+6221) 837.90010 (Jakarta) – MITRA PEREMPUAN Women’s Crisis Centre
• Japan: Asia-Japan Women’s Resource Center
  : Gender Information Site
• Malaysia: All Women’s Action Society
  : Women’s Aid Organisation
• Singapore: Society Against Family Violence
• Thailand – Pavena Foundation

Helpline: 1800-200-526 – Confidential national helpline. Several state specific helplines are also listed.

• ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council
• Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse
• Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT
• Domestic Violence Resource Center
• Family Violence Services Tasmania
• Freedom From Fear, WA Government Campaign Against Domestic Violence
• Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service
• Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association
• Immigrant Women’s Support Service
• Northern Territory Police Domestic Violence Counselling Services
• NSW Women’s Refuge Resource Center
• Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research
• Reach Out Australia
• Safety Programs run by the Australian Government
• Same Sex Domestic Abuse Group
• The Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Center
• The Domestic Violence Resource Center, Victoria

Helpline: 1-800-363-9010 – National Domestic Violence Hotline

• DV Legislation in Canada
• National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
• Safe Canada
• Shelter Net For Abused Women
• Violence Prevention Fund at The Canadian Women’s Foundation

One of the main concerns for a DV victim is often there is a child involved and they want to ensure the child’s safety should the victim leave the abuser. Leaving the abuser also raises the issue of child custody and who would be granted custody in the case of such a separation. This is a complicated situation and the best thing for you to do is to get in touch with an experienced lawyer who can help. If you are unable to access a lawyer, call your local DV hotline and they can guide you about what you should do.

• • Central and Eastern Europe: Stop Violence Against Women
  • Europe: Women Against Violence Europe
  • Finland – Tukinainen Rape Crisis Centre
  • Germany – Selbsthilfe- Missbrauch
  • Ireland: Helpline: 1850 211 407 – Crime Victims Helpline
  • Russia: Assol Organisation
    : Lady from Russia (help for Russian women overseas)
  • Spain: El Centro de Asistencia a Víctimas de Agresiones Sexuales

Helpline: 91 574 01 10 – El Centro de Asistencia a Víctimas de Agresiones Sexuales

• Sweden – National Organization of Battered Women’s Shelters
• Switzerland – Nottelefon Zurich

Helpline: 0808 2000 247 – 24 hour Domestic Violence Helpline
: 0300 999 5428 – Broken Rainbow Helpline for LGBT victims
         : 0844 8044 999 – National Centre for Domestic Violence
          : 0800 917 1414 – Northern Ireland Women’s Aid Federation
: 08 08 80 10 800 – Welsh Women’s Aid
: 0800 027 1234 – Scottish Women’s Aid

• Greater London Domestic Violence Project
• Hidden Hurt
• Refuge UK
• National Centre For Domestic Violence
• Northern Ireland Women’s Aid Federation
• Scottish Women’s Aid
• UK Home Office Domestic Violence Information
• Welsh Women’s Aid
• Women’s Aid

Helpline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) – National Domestic Violence Hotline
       : 1-800-656-HOPE – National Sexual Assault Hotline
      : (888)-883-2323 – The National Jewish Domestic Violence Hotline
: (800) TRY-NOVA – The National Organization for Victim Assistance
: (732) 435-1414 – Manavi Helpline
: (800)-621-HOPE – Safe Horizons Domestic Violence Hotline
: 1-866-USWOMEN – Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
International Toll Free Crisis Line

• Advocate Web
• American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence
• American Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
• Amnesty International USA
• An Abuse, Rape, Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection
• Asian and Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
• Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
• Battered Mothers Resource Fund
• Battered Women’s Justice Project
• Bureau of Justice Statistics Clearinghouse
• Domestic Violence Program at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Faith Trust Institute
• Family Violence Prevention Fund
• Futures Without Violence – Q&A for Immigrant and Refugee Women
• Give Back A Smile, free cosmetic dentistry for DV victims by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
• LAMBDA LGBT Community Services
• Manavi – Women’s Right Organization for South Asian Women
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• National Coalition of Anti Violence Programs
• National Center for Victims of Crime
• National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
• National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith and Credit
• National Clearinghouse on Marital and Date Rape
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Listings by State
• National Latino Alliance For The Elimination of Domestic Violence
• National Network to End Domestic Violence
• National Network To End Violence Against Immigrant Women
• National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women
• National Organization for Victim Assistance
• National Resource Center On Domestic Violence
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
• Safe Horizon Victim Services
• The Black Church on Domestic Violence Institute
• United States Department of Justice Office On Violence Against Women