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State Domestic Violence Laws
The application and definition of domestic violence laws varies by state.
By John Mascolo, Esq. | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq. | Last reviewed March 04, 2025
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
Understanding your state's domestic violence laws is crucial for navigating the protections available in your area. Every state also has resources and agencies that help and support individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.
This article contains an overview of domestic violence laws by state. Use the list below to find your state's domestic violence definitions and statutes. The linked material for each state details specific legal information, including:
- Available protections
- Firearm and gun restrictions
- Penalties for domestic violence offenses
- And more
Scroll past the list of state laws for domestic violence agencies, organizations, and resources for each state.
Domestic Violence Statutes by State
Use the links below to find your state:
State Domestic Violence Information and Organizations
Your state has resources to help those experiencing domestic violence. Community support can save the lives of victims and their family members and offer help in times of crisis.
If you need immediate help, call:
- 911 for Emergency help from the police or EMS
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
- The Strong Hearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483
If you want to file a protective order in your state, see State Forms.
If you are in an abusive relationship, see FindLaw's Get Help With Domestic Violence. Victim advocates and healthcare providers can help. They may provide a safe space to discuss an incident and provide appropriate referrals.
You can learn more about domestic violence laws at FindLaw's Domestic Violence section. Articles will also explain legal actions to stop domestic abuse.
Find your state in the list below for domestic violence organizations, resources, and legal help in your area.
Alabama
- Alabama Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-650-6522
- Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Alabama Legal Help or call 1-866-456-4995, or 1-888-835-3505 (en Espanol)
- Alabama Protection From Abuse Act
- WomensLaw Alabama Resources
Alaska
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
- Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is a network of 23 programs. Find a resource near you.
- Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Women's Legal Rights Handbook
- WomensLaw Alaska Resources
Arizona
- Arizona Domestic Violence Hotline at 602-279-2980 | sms 520-720-3383 (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
- Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Arizona Department of Economic Security, Shelters and Services List
- Arizona Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Project
- WomensLaw Arizona Resources
Arkansas
- Women & Children First Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-332-4443 (24/7)
- Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Arkansas Attorney General's Office Resources
- WomensLaw Arkansas Resources
California
- Find Domestic Violence Hotlines across the state. You can also call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
- California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
- California Courts Domestic Violence Information (court orders of protection)
- WomensLaw California Resources
Colorado
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Domestic Violence Program (DVP) (Colorado Department of Human Services)
- Violence Free Colorado, agencies providing services by county (There are domestic violence crisis lines for agencies in each county.)
- WomensLaw Colorado Resources
Connecticut
- CTSafeConnect Hotline at 888-774-2900 (24/7)
- Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Crisis Center hotline 203-588-9097 or 888 774-2900
- Relief From Abuse Process [PDF] (Connecticut Judicial Branch)
- WomensLaw Connecticut Resources
Delaware
- Hotlines: New Castle County 302-762-6110; Kent and Sussex Counties 302-422-8058; Abriendo Puertas 302-745-9874
- Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Child Inc., hotline and shelters, including a shelter for male victims of violence
- Understanding the Protection From Abuse Process (Delaware State Courts)
- WomensLaw Delaware Resources
District of Columbia
- DC Safe Hotline at 1-844-443-5732 (24/7)
- DC Safe
- District of Columbia Courts
- Domestic Violence Unit (Metropolitan Police Department)
- WomensLaw District of Columbia Resources
Florida
- Florida Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 (24/7)
- My Florida Families - Domestic Violence (Florida Department of Children and Families)
- Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)
- Florida Law Help
- WomensLaw Florida Resources
Georgia
- Georgia Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-334-2836 (24/7)
- Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV)
- Domestic Violence pamphlets (Georgia Legal Aid)
- WomensLaw Georgia Resources
Hawaii
- Hawaii Domestic Abuse Hotlines:
- Oahu: 1-808-841-0822
- West Hawaii: 1-808-322-7233
- East Hawaii: 1-808-959-8864
- Kauai: 1-808-245-6362
- Maui: 1-808-579-9581
- Molokai 1-808-567-6888
- Protective Orders (Hawaii State Judiciary)
- Domestic Violence Resources (Hawaii Department of Human Services)
- Hawaii Domestic Violence Law Help
- Safety Planning (Hawaii State Judiciary)
- WomensLaw Hawaii Resources
Idaho
- Idaho Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-669-3176 (24/7)
- Idaho Domestic Violence Court Website
- Idaho Legal Aid Domestic Violence Services
- Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw Idaho Resources
Illinois
- Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-863-6338 (24/7)
- Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- WomensLaw Illinois Resources
Indiana
- Indiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-332-7385 (24/7)
- Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Indiana Courts, Family Violence
- WomensLaw Indiana Resources
Iowa
- Iowa Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-373-1043; Victim Service Hotline at 1-800-770-1650 (24/7)
- Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Intervention Program (Iowa Victim Advocates)
- Domestic Abuse Information (Iowa Courts)
- WomensLaw Iowa Resources
Kansas
- Kansas Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline at 1-888-363-2287 (24/7)
- Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Information (Kansas Bar Association)
- WomensLaw Kansas Resources
Kentucky
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Kentucky Domestic Violence - Legal Aid (protection orders; VAWA protections)
- WomensLaw Kentucky Resources
Louisiana
- Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-888-411-1333 (24/7)
- Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Louisiana Protective Order Registry (Louisiana Supreme Court)
- Louisiana Law Help - Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw Louisiana Resources
Maine
- Maine Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-834-HELP(4357) (24/7)
- Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
- Maine Abuse & Harassment (protection orders)
- WomensLaw Maine Resources
Maryland
- National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Protective Orders (Maryland Judiciary)
- Domestic Violence: You Can Live Without It (Maryland State Bar Association)
- WomensLaw Maryland Resources
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts SafeLink Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-785-2020 (24/7)
- Domestic Violence Services by County
- Massachusetts Coalition Against Domestic Violence (article)
- WomensLaw Massachusetts Resources
Michigan
- Michigan Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-864-2338 (24/7)
- Michigan Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-855-864-2374 (24/7)
- Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Domestic Violence Awareness (Michigan State Police)
- WomensLaw Michigan Resources
Minnesota
- Minnesota DayOne Crisis Hotline at 866-223-1111 (24/7)
- Violence-Free Minnesota (fact sheet)
- Domestic Abuse and Harassment (Minnesota Judicial Branch)
- Rights and Resources for Victims of Domestic Abuse (Minnesota Attorney General
- WomensLaw Minnesota Resources
Mississippi
- Mississippi Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-898-3234 (24/7)
- Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- What If My Spouse/Partner Abuses Me? (The Mississippi Bar)
- Mississippi Department of Health
- WomensLaw Mississippi Resources
Missouri
- National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Domestic Violence (Missouri Attorney General)
- WomensLaw Missouri Resources
Montana
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (24/7)
- How to Obtain an Order of Protection (Montana Department of Justice)
- WomensLaw Montana Resources
Nebraska
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (24/7)
- Domestic Violence (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)
- Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Nebraska Attorney General Victim Assistance
- WomensLaw Nebraska Resources
Nevada
- Nevada Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-775-329-4150 (24/7)
- Domestic Violence Resource Center
- Domestic Violence Information and Assistance (Attorney General's Office)
- Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
- WomensLaw Nevada Resources
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-644-3574 (24/7)
- Domestic Violence and Stalking [PDF] (New Hampshire Legal Help)
- Domestic Violence Case Protocols (New Hampshire District Court)
- New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- WomensLaw New Hampshire Resources
New Jersey
- New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-7233 (24/7)
- Domestic Violence (New Jersey Courts)
- New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence
- New Jersey Domestic Violence Information (New Jersey State Police)
- WomensLaw New Jersey Resources
New Mexico
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (24/7)
- New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- New Mexico Courts - Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw New Mexico Resources
New York
- New York Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906 (24/7)
- Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
- New York State Coalition to End Domestic Violence
- New York Legal Assistance
- WomensLaw New York Resources
North Carolina
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (24/7)
- North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- North Carolina Domestic Violence Service Providers by County
- North Carolina Legal Aid Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw North Carolina Resources
North Dakota
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (24/7)
- The North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services
- Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order
- Domestic Violence Protection Order
- WomensLaw North Dakota Resources
Ohio
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network Hotline at 1-800-934-9840 (24/7)
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network
- Action Ohio Coalition for Battered Women
- Ohio Legal Help - Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw Ohio Resources
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Statewide Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-522-3511 (24/7)
- Oklahoma Attorney General Victim Services
- Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- Legal Aid Oklahoma Domestic Violence Resources
- WomensLaw Oklahoma Resources
Oregon
- Call the Safety Crisis Line at 1-888-235-5333 (24/7)
- Restraining Orders and Domestic Violence (Oregon State Bar)
- Oregon Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Oregon Law Help: Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw Oregon Resources
Pennsylvania
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Protection from Abuse (Pennsylvania Bar Association)
- WomensLaw Pennsylvania Resources
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Helpline at 1-800-494-8100 (24/7)
- Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw Rhode Island Resources
South Carolina
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Domestic Violence Information (South Carolina Department of Social Services)
- South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- WomensLaw South Carolina Resources
South Dakota
- Call the South Dakota Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-430-7233 (24/7)
- South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault
- Protection Orders (South Dakota Legal Self-Help)
- Department of Social Services Domestic Violence Program [PDF]
- WomensLaw South Dakota Resources
Tennessee
- Call the Tennessee Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-356-6767 (24/7)
- Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Nashville District Attorney's Office - Services for Victims
- Tennessee Domestic Violence Help, Programs, and Statistics (DomesticShelters.org)
- WomensLaw Tennessee Resources
Texas
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Texas Attorney General's Office Family Violence Information
- Texas Council on Family Violence
- Texas Advocacy Project (free legal services)
- I Need a Protective Order (Texas Law Help)
- WomensLaw Texas Resources
Utah
- Call the Utah Domestic Violence LINKline at 1-800-897-5465 (24/7)
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services
- Utah Protection Orders (Utah courts)
- WomensLaw Utah Resources
Vermont
- Call the Vermont Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-228-7395 (24/7) or 1- 802-241-1250.
- Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- Vermont Crime Victim Services
- WomensLaw Vermont Resources
Virginia
- Call the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance Hotline at 1-800-838-8238 (24/7)
- Virginia Courts - Domestic Violence Services
- Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance
- Domestic Violence (DV) (Virginia Department of Social Services)
- WomensLaw Virginia Resources
Washington
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Washington Courts - Domestic Violence Information
- WomensLaw Washington Resources
West Virginia
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Domestic Violence section (West Virginia Judiciary)
- West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- WomensLaw West Virginia Resources
Wisconsin
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (Wisconsin court system)
- Domestic Abuse (Wisconsin State Law Library)
- WomensLaw Wisconsin Resources
Wyoming
- Call the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-307-755-5481. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- Self-Help Protection Order Forms
- Wyoming Victim Services
- WomensLaw Wyoming Resources
National Domestic Violence Information
- Domestic Violence: Orders of Protection and Restraining Orders (FindLaw)
- Preventing Abuse and Neglect (Military OneSource)
- The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA - federal law)
- Intimate Domestic Violence and Public Health (CDC)
- Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
Talk to an Attorney for More Information About Domestic Violence
Taking action early can be critical for victims of domestic violence. It can stop physical abuse and other violent crimes. Finding specific state criminal law information and resources is a great first start.
Do you need an intimate-partner violence restraining order? Does it make sense to file for divorce? An attorney can help. Reach out to a family law attorney near you today. Find state-specific information to help victims of abuse. Discuss your specific situation and take action.
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