Resources + Support in Delaware

24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotlines

Information/Referrals

Shelter, Counseling, Support & Victim Advocacy Services

New Castle County

Kent/Sussex Counties

Court Advocacy Programs (located in Family Court)

Certified Domestic Violence (Batterer) Intervention Programs

New Castle County

Kent/Sussex Counties

Legal Assistance

  • Legal Help Link/Lawyer Referral Service

    Provides free referrals to an attorney associated with Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc., Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., or Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc., for the following matters: Protection from Abuse orders, divorce, custody, guardianships, landlord/tenant, wills/living wills & power of attorney, government benefits, home ownership, and consumer problems.

    New Castle County
    302-478-8850

    Kent & Sussex Counties
    888-225-0582

  • Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.

    Free legal assistance to financially eligible. Assistance with Protection From Abuse orders, custody, divorce, public housing, public benefits & bankruptcy, landlord/tenant problems, and immigration.

    New Castle County
    (Limited to public housing, public benefits & bankruptcy, landlord/tenant problems, and immigration)
    302-575-0660

    Kent County
    302-674-8500

    Sussex County
    302-856-0038

  • Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc. - New Castle County

    302-478-8680
    Free legal assistance to financially eligible. Assistance limited to Protection From Abuse orders, custody, divorce, and guardianships.

  • Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc.

    Free legal assistance to financially eligible. Assistance with non-Family Court related matters: e.g., bankruptcy, private landlord/tenant, foreclosure, and other consumer problems.

    Wilmington
    302-575-0408

    Dover
    302-734-8820

Police Based Victim Assistance Programs

Government Agencies

Other Delaware Hotlines/Resources

Why is This Happening? / Is This Happening? / How Do I Know?

At several points during or after an abusive relationship a victim may ask him- or herself Why is this happening? or Why did this happen? The victim may also even question the existence of abuse (a side effect of gaslighting among other types of abuse) or how to spot it. We have compiled a set of resources that help individuals reach an answer to these Who, What, How, and Why questions.

Glossary of Terminology

Throughout this site, and perhaps in your own research, you may have come across certain terms used to describe methods or situations of, or conditions that result from, domestic violence. We have compiled a comprehensive list of terms that you may find helpful. Victims of domestic violence may find this resource to be especially useful in terms of being able to identify elements of their experience.           

 

Huge thanks to our colleagues at The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence for providing us much of the information used in this list of local resources.