Can men be victims of domestic violence?

Yes — roughly 1 in 9 men experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) and ManKind Initiative serve male victims. Stigma is a major barrier, but the legal protections (protective orders, DV charges) are available to men in every state.

What if I'm falsely accused?

Take it seriously even if untrue. Consult a criminal or family law attorney immediately; don't speak to police or the accuser without counsel. Document your whereabouts, witnesses, communications. Most protective orders can be challenged at a full evidentiary hearing within 10–21 days of initial issuance.

How do I get a protective order?

File a petition at your county's family court or civil court — no attorney required. Temporary ex parte orders can issue same-day; a full hearing typically follows within two to three weeks. Court self-help centers and DV advocates help fill out forms at no cost.

Are there shelters for men?

Male-specific DV shelter capacity is limited but exists in some cities (through organizations like Valor, ManKind, and certain state coalitions). Most DV agencies will arrange hotel placement or referral to emergency shelter for male victims when shelter-specific housing isn't available.

Domestic Violence in California

16 verified resources.

About Domestic Violence for Fathers

Domestic violence resources for men have grown significantly over the past decade. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) accepts calls from any gender, and the Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE) helpline and ManKind Initiative are dedicated to male victims. Every state has a coalition against domestic violence, and most cities have shelters — though male-specific shelter capacity remains limited. Men can obtain protective orders in family court, request supervised visitation, and work with victim advocates attached to local prosecutor offices. For fathers falsely accused of domestic violence during custody disputes, a criminal defense attorney or family law attorney with DV experience is critical. This directory includes national hotlines, state coalitions, men's shelters where available, and protective order resources.

Domestic Violence in California

California handles custody in superior courts across all 58 counties. The Department of Child Support Services runs enforcement through local child support agencies (LCSAs) in every county. Los Angeles County operates the largest family court system in the US. Major metros include LA, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento. LA County's LAFLA, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego are the largest legal aid programs.

16 Resources

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

24/7 crisis line for ALL domestic violence survivors including men. Trained advocates provide support, safety planning, and local shelter referrals in 200+ languages. Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. Male survivors often face additional barriers to seeking help — this line is specifically trained to support men. Completely confidential. No requirement to leave the relationship to call.

1-800-799-7233 · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

2. California Partnership to End Domestic Violence — Free

Statewide domestic violence coalition connecting survivors to local member agencies across all 58 California counties. Use the online resource locator at cpedv.org to find the nearest DV service provider. Call the referral line at 1-800-524-4765 for guidance. Serves survivors of all genders. Member agencies provide emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and safety planning throughout California.

1-800-524-4765 · 1107 9th St., Suite 910, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 9-5; locator 24/7 · Visit Website

3. CA Courts — DV Restraining Order Self-Help — Free

Step-by-step guide to filing a domestic violence restraining order in California. No fee and no attorney required — you can file yourself. A temporary emergency protective order can be granted the same day you file. Available at every California superior court. Visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov for the guide and DV-100 form packet. Fill out forms, file at the clerk's office, and attend your hearing to make the order permanent.

File at your county superior court · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Valley Oasis — Antelope Valley (Lancaster) — Free

One of the first US shelters specifically providing emergency shelter to men fleeing domestic violence. 65-bed, 60-day shelter serving men, women, and children. 24-hour hotline at (661) 945-6736, housing stability services, and sexual assault response. Located in Lancaster. Email firststep@avdvc.org for non-emergency inquiries. Serves the Antelope Valley area of Los Angeles County.

(661) 945-6736 · P.O. Box 2980, Lancaster, CA 93539 · 24/7 hotline; office Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

5. Community Resource Center — San Diego (Men's DV Services) — Free

Primary DV provider in coastal North San Diego County serving men age 17 and older. Emergency shelter, individual counseling, housing stability assistance, and food access programs. 8,600+ people served annually. Call the 24/7 DV hotline at (877) 633-1112 or the main line (760) 753-1156. Email Connect@crcncc.org. Located in Encinitas. Serves North County coastal communities from Del Mar to Oceanside.

(760) 753-1156 · 650 2nd St, Encinitas, CA 92024 · DV hotline 24/7: (877) 633-1112 · Visit Website

6. 1in6 — Support for Male Survivors — Free

24/7 online helpline with trained advocates specifically for men and boys with unwanted or abusive sexual experiences. Free confidential weekly online support groups available to join from anywhere. Visit 1in6.org to access the helpline chat and group schedule. Email 1in6@zeroabuseproject.org for information. The name reflects research that 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse. Completely confidential and judgment-free.

1-800-656-4673 · 24/7 online helpline · Visit Website

7. MaleSurvivor — Free

15,000+ member online community for male survivors of sexual victimization founded in 1995. Provides peer forums, in-person healing weekends, and therapist connection tools. Email info@malesurvivor.org or visit malesurvivor.org to join. Free membership and community forums. Weekend of Recovery retreats held in various US locations annually. One of the most established resources for male survivors seeking peer support.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

8. SAFE Alliance — San Francisco — Free

Comprehensive domestic violence services for San Francisco survivors including emergency shelter at a confidential location, counseling, legal advocacy, and children's programs. 24/7 crisis line at (415) 864-4722. Serves survivors of all genders. SAFE Alliance provides individual and group counseling, safety planning, court advocacy, and transitional housing support. Call the crisis line for immediate help or referrals.

(415) 864-4722 · San Francisco, CA (confidential location) · Crisis line 24/7 · Visit Website

9. YWCA Golden Gate — Silicon Valley DV Services — Free

Emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and legal advocacy for domestic violence survivors in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Serves survivors of all genders. 24/7 hotline at (800) 572-2782. Located in San Jose. Services include safety planning, court accompaniment, employment support, and children's programs. Call the hotline any time for immediate help, safety planning, or shelter placement.

(800) 572-2782 · 375 S. Third St., Suite 105, San Jose, CA 95112 · Hotline 24/7

10. Rainbow Services — San Pedro/South Bay LA — Free

Domestic violence services for the South Bay area of Los Angeles County including emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, and children's programs. 24/7 hotline at (310) 547-9343. Serves San Pedro, Torrance, Carson, and surrounding South Bay communities. All genders served. Provides safety planning, court advocacy, and transitional support for DV survivors escaping dangerous situations.

(310) 547-9343 · P.O. Box 2237, San Pedro, CA 90731 · Hotline 24/7 · Visit Website

11. Center for Community Solutions — San Diego — Free

Comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault services for San Diego County including emergency shelter, individual counseling, legal advocacy, children's programs, and a 24/7 crisis line at (888) 385-4657. Located in Mission Bay area. Serves survivors of all genders. Provides safety planning, court accompaniment, and transitional housing support. Call the crisis line anytime for immediate help or referrals to local resources.

(888) 385-4657 · 4508 Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109 · Crisis line 24/7 · Visit Website

12. Haven Women's Center — Stanislaus County — Free

Domestic violence services for Stanislaus County including emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and community education programs. Serves survivors of all genders despite the name — men and non-binary individuals are welcome. 24/7 crisis hotline at (209) 524-4331. Located in Modesto. Provides safety planning, court advocacy, transitional housing, and children's services for DV survivors throughout the county.

(209) 524-4331 · 618 13th St., Modesto, CA 95354 · Hotline 24/7 · Visit Website

13. Interval House — LA/Long Beach — Free

Largest domestic violence agency in the greater Long Beach area. Services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, and individual and group counseling for survivors of all genders. 24/7 crisis hotline at (562) 594-4555. Serves Long Beach, Seal Beach, and South LA County communities. Provides safety planning, court accompaniment, economic empowerment, and children's programs.

(562) 594-4555 · P.O. Box 3356, Seal Beach, CA 90740 · Hotline 24/7 · Visit Website

14. WEAVE — Sacramento DV Services — Free

Comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sacramento County with a 24/7 crisis line at (916) 920-2952. Services include emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, and economic empowerment programs. Located on K Street in Sacramento. Serves survivors of all genders. Provides safety planning, court accompaniment, transitional housing, and children's advocacy services.

(916) 920-2952 · 1900 K St., Sacramento, CA 95811 · Crisis line 24/7 · Visit Website

15. Human Options — Orange County DV Services — Free

Comprehensive domestic violence services for Orange County including emergency shelter, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and transitional housing. Serves survivors of all genders. 24/7 crisis line at (877) 854-3594. Located in Irvine. Provides safety planning, court advocacy, economic empowerment, and children's programs. Bilingual Spanish services available. Call the hotline anytime for immediate help or referrals.

(877) 854-3594 · P.O. Box 15457, Irvine, CA 92623 · Crisis line 24/7 · Visit Website

16. Stand Up Placer — Roseville/Placer County — Free

Domestic violence and sexual assault services for Placer County including a 24/7 crisis line at (916) 773-7273, emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, and legal advocacy. Located in Roseville. Serves survivors of all genders throughout Placer County including Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn, and Tahoe communities. Provides safety planning, court accompaniment, transitional support, and children's programs.

(916) 773-7273 · P.O. Box 5861, Roseville, CA 95747 · Crisis line 24/7 · Visit Website

Domestic Violence — Common Questions

Can men be victims of domestic violence?: Yes — roughly 1 in 9 men experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) and ManKind Initiative serve male victims. Stigma is a major barrier, but the legal protections (protective orders, DV charges) are available to men in every state.
What if I'm falsely accused?: Take it seriously even if untrue. Consult a criminal or family law attorney immediately; don't speak to police or the accuser without counsel. Document your whereabouts, witnesses, communications. Most protective orders can be challenged at a full evidentiary hearing within 10–21 days of initial issuance.
How do I get a protective order?: File a petition at your county's family court or civil court — no attorney required. Temporary ex parte orders can issue same-day; a full hearing typically follows within two to three weeks. Court self-help centers and DV advocates help fill out forms at no cost.
Are there shelters for men?: Male-specific DV shelter capacity is limited but exists in some cities (through organizations like Valor, ManKind, and certain state coalitions). Most DV agencies will arrange hotel placement or referral to emergency shelter for male victims when shelter-specific housing isn't available.