Domestic Violence in Connecticut

17 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 Connecticut

Connecticut's Superior Court handles family matters through regional Judicial Districts and Family Support Magistrate Division locations. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement under DSS. Major cities include Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury. Connecticut Legal Services and Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut provide civil legal aid, and every courthouse has a court service center offering free forms assistance.

17 Resources

1. CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

Statewide network connecting Connecticut survivors and fathers to domestic violence shelters, counseling, and legal advocacy. Free 24/7 hotline for safety planning, shelter placement, and referrals. Services available in multiple languages. Fathers experiencing or witnessing abuse can call for confidential help. Local programs operate across all eight Connecticut counties with emergency, outpatient, and court advocacy services.

888-774-2900 · 912 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, CT 06109 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

2. The Umbrella Center – Hartford — Free

Free domestic violence services for Hartford-area fathers and families including counseling, court advocacy, safety planning, and emergency shelter. Program of YWCA Hartford Region. Call the 24/7 crisis line for confidential intake. Bring photo ID, existing court orders, and any protective-order paperwork if available. Services available in multiple languages and open to all survivors regardless of gender.

860-233-3816 · 135 Broad St, Hartford, CT 06105 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

3. Center for Family Justice – Bridgeport — Free

Free domestic violence shelter, legal aid, counseling, and crisis services for Fairfield County survivors and children. 24/7 crisis line for safety planning and shelter placement; walk-in advocacy during business hours. Services available in multiple languages and open to all survivors regardless of gender. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves Bridgeport, Stratford, Fairfield, and surrounding communities.

203-384-9559 · 753 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

4. Safe Futures – New London — Free

Free domestic violence shelter, advocacy, counseling, and court support for southeastern Connecticut survivors and children. 24/7 crisis line for safety planning and shelter placement. Services available in multiple languages; open to all survivors regardless of gender. Walk-in advocacy during business hours; bring photo ID and any protective-order paperwork. Serves New London County including Norwich, Groton, and surrounding communities.

860-701-6000 · 16 Jay St, New London, CT 06320 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

5. Prudence Crandall Center – New Britain — Free

Free domestic violence shelter, counseling, and advocacy for central Connecticut survivors and children. Services include 24/7 crisis line, emergency shelter, court advocacy, and support groups. Open to all survivors regardless of gender. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves New Britain, Bristol, Meriden, and surrounding communities. Multilingual services and confidential safety planning available around the clock.

860-225-6357 · PO Box 895, New Britain, CT 06050 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

6. Women's Center of Greater Danbury — Free

Free domestic violence and sexual assault services for Danbury-area survivors and children including fathers experiencing abuse. Services include 24/7 crisis line, emergency shelter, court advocacy, counseling, and support groups. Open to all survivors regardless of gender. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves Danbury, New Milford, Brookfield, and surrounding communities with confidential multilingual support.

203-731-5206 · 2 West St, Danbury, CT 06810 · 24/7 crisis line

7. National DV Hotline – Connecticut — Free

Free 24/7 national hotline connecting Connecticut survivors and fathers experiencing abuse to local shelters, counseling, legal aid, and safety planning resources. Confidential support from trained advocates available by phone, text, and chat in multiple languages. Accessible from any phone statewide; callers can remain anonymous. No documentation or ID required to call. Advocates connect callers directly to nearest CT program.

800-799-7233 · 24/7 · Visit Website

8. Susan B. Anthony Project – Torrington — Free

Free domestic violence and sexual assault services for northwest Connecticut survivors, including fathers experiencing abuse. Services include 24/7 crisis line, emergency shelter, court advocacy, counseling, and support groups. Open to all survivors regardless of gender. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves Torrington, Litchfield County, and surrounding communities with confidential multilingual support available around the clock.

860-489-3798 · 179 Water St, Torrington, CT 06790 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

9. Interval House – Hartford — Free

Largest domestic violence shelter in Connecticut providing 24/7 crisis services, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, and children's programs for Hartford-region survivors. Open to all survivors regardless of gender, including fathers. Multilingual services and confidential safety planning. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves Hartford, Tolland, and surrounding counties with comprehensive wraparound support.

860-527-0550 · Hartford, CT 06105 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

10. Domestic Violence Crisis Center – Stamford — Free

Free domestic violence advocacy, shelter, and counseling for Stamford and Norwalk-area survivors and children. Services include 24/7 crisis line, emergency shelter, court advocacy, support groups, and children's programs. Open to all survivors regardless of gender. Bring photo ID and any existing court orders. Serves lower Fairfield County with confidential multilingual support and court accompaniment for restraining order hearings.

203-588-9096 · Stamford, CT 06901 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

11. New Horizons – Middletown — Free

Free domestic violence services and emergency shelter for Middlesex County survivors and children. Services include 24/7 crisis line, counseling, court advocacy, safety planning, and support groups. Open to all survivors regardless of gender, including fathers. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves Middletown, Old Saybrook, and surrounding towns with confidential multilingual support around the clock.

860-347-3044 · Middletown, CT 06457 · 24/7 crisis line · Visit Website

12. The Network Against Domestic Abuse – Enfield — Free

Free domestic violence shelter, advocacy, and support services for northern Hartford County survivors and children. Services include 24/7 crisis line, emergency shelter, court advocacy, counseling, and safety planning. Open to all survivors regardless of gender. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves Enfield, Windsor Locks, and surrounding communities with confidential multilingual support and court accompaniment.

860-763-4542 · Enfield, CT 06082 · 24/7 crisis line

13. CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence — Free

Free statewide support for sexual assault survivors in Connecticut including fathers and children affected. Services include 24/7 hotline, referrals to local sexual assault crisis centers, court advocacy, and confidential counseling. Open to survivors of all genders. Accessible by phone or online; no documentation required to call. Advocates connect callers directly to nearest local center. Multilingual support available around the clock.

888-999-5545 · Hartford, CT 06106 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

14. Meriden DV Services – Midstate — Free

Domestic violence support, advocacy, and referrals for Meriden-area survivors through Midstate/United Way network. Services include safety planning, court accompaniment, counseling, and shelter referrals. Open to all survivors regardless of gender. Walk-in and scheduled appointments during business hours. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Connects Meriden, Wallingford, and surrounding residents to comprehensive DV services.

203-235-9297 · Meriden, CT 06450 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

15. CT Safe Connect — Free

Free statewide service connecting Connecticut domestic violence survivors to local resources via call, text, or chat 24/7. Advocates help with safety planning, shelter placement, counseling referrals, and court advocacy in all eight CT counties. Open to all survivors regardless of gender, including fathers. Confidential and multilingual; no documentation required to contact. Accessible from any phone or online from any device.

888-774-2900 · 24/7 · Visit Website

16. Stamford YWCA – DV Services — Free

Free domestic violence advocacy, support, and referrals for Stamford-area survivors and children. Services include 24/7 crisis line, safety planning, counseling, and court advocacy. Open to all survivors regardless of gender, including fathers. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves Stamford and surrounding lower Fairfield County communities with confidential multilingual support and court accompaniment for restraining-order hearings.

203-348-7714 · Stamford, CT 06901 · 24/7 crisis line

17. YWCA New Britain – DV Program — Free

Free domestic violence shelter, advocacy, and support services for New Britain-area survivors and children. Services include 24/7 crisis line, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, and safety planning. Open to all survivors regardless of gender. Bring photo ID and existing court orders if available. Serves New Britain, Berlin, and surrounding communities with confidential multilingual support and court accompaniment.

860-225-4681 · New Britain, CT 06051 · 24/7 crisis line · 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.