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 Florida

20 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 Florida

Florida handles family law in circuit courts across its 20 judicial circuits. The Department of Revenue Child Support Program oversees enforcement statewide. Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale are the largest metros. Florida has an active self-help court system, free online parenting courses, and Bay Area Legal Services, Three Rivers Legal Services, and other LSC programs providing representation.

20 Resources

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

24/7 confidential hotline for all victims of domestic violence regardless of gender. Trained advocates provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local Florida resources. Available in 200+ languages. Text START to 88788 or chat online at thehotline.org. Serves men, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. All calls are confidential. Call 1-800-799-7233 anytime for immediate assistance or help creating a safety plan.

1-800-799-7233 · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Florida Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

Statewide 24-hour hotline connecting callers to their nearest certified domestic violence center across Florida. Serves all victims regardless of gender, including men. Available in English, Spanish, and Creole. TDD: 1-800-621-4202. TTY: 711 or 1-800-955-8771. Trained counselors provide crisis support, safety planning, and referrals to local shelter and legal resources. Call 1-800-500-1119 anytime for immediate help.

1-800-500-1119 · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence (FPEDV) — Free

Formerly the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV). The federally recognized state coalition connecting survivors to Florida's 41 certified domestic violence centers. Maintains a directory of all shelters and services across Florida. Located at 660 E Jefferson St, Tallahassee. Call 850-425-2749 or visit fpedv.org to find your nearest certified DV center. Resources available for all survivors regardless of gender.

850-425-2749 · 660 E Jefferson St, Suite 102, Tallahassee, FL 32301 · Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Visit Website

4. AVDA - Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (Palm Beach County) — Free

Explicitly serves women, men, and children. 64-bed emergency shelter (stays up to 6 weeks) plus 32-bed transitional housing (up to 2 years). Provides 24-hour crisis hotline, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and support groups. Openly welcomes male victims of domestic violence. Located in Delray Beach. Call 561-265-2900 for immediate help. AVDA is one of Florida's most accessible DV centers for male survivors.

561-265-2900 · PO Box 6161, Delray Beach, FL 33482 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

5. Harbor House of Central Florida (Orlando) — Free

110-bed safe shelter for abused women, men, and children in Orange County. Harbor House explicitly welcomes male survivors of domestic violence. Offers 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and transitional housing programs. Call 407-886-2856 anytime for crisis support. One of Central Florida's largest DV providers and one of the few shelters in Florida that openly accepts and houses male victims.

407-886-2856 · PO Box 680748, Orlando, FL 32868 · 24/7 hotline

6. Hubbard House (Jacksonville) — Free

Safe shelter, hot meals, and personal amenities for women, men, and children in Duval and Baker counties. Services are explicitly accessible to all survivors including male and non-binary individuals. Offers 24/7 hotline, residential shelter, outreach center, and legal advocacy. Text 904-210-3698 for discreet help. Located at 6629 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville. Call 904-354-3114 anytime. Outreach Center open Mon-Fri for non-residential services.

904-354-3114 · 6629 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216 · 24/7 hotline; Outreach Center: Mon-Fri · Visit Website

7. CASA - Community Action Stops Abuse (Pinellas County) — Free

Official DV provider for Pinellas County serving all genders, ages, and abilities. Services include 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, support groups, economic empowerment programs, legal advocacy, and housing assistance. The Family Justice Center at 1011 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, offers walk-in services Mon-Fri 9 AM to 5 PM. Call 727-895-4912 anytime or email info@casa-stpete.org for help or to access services.

727-895-4912 · 1011 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL · 24/7 hotline; Justice Center: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM · Visit Website

8. The Spring of Tampa Bay (Hillsborough County) — Free

Domestic violence center serving Hillsborough County with emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, transitional housing, and children's programs. Provides 24-hour crisis hotline available at 813-247-7233. Contact to inquire about services for male survivors. Email info@thespring.org or visit thespring.org for full details. Covers safety planning, financial empowerment, and housing assistance for all DV survivors in the Tampa area.

813-247-7233 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

9. Miami-Dade Coordinated Victims Assistance Center (CVAC) — Free

One-stop non-residential center for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and human trafficking in Miami-Dade County. Serves all genders. Services include advocacy, counseling, group therapy, emergency financial assistance, and legal advocacy. Walk-in Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM. Text 305-679-0303 for discreet help 24/7. Call 305-285-5900 for more information. Available in English, Spanish, and Creole.

305-285-5900 · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Text: 24/7 · Visit Website

10. Sunrise of Pasco County (Dade City) — Free

Domestic and sexual violence center serving Pasco County with emergency shelter at a confidential location, 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, advocacy, and support services for all victims of domestic violence. Mailing address: PO Box 928, Dade City, FL 33526. Call 352-521-3120 anytime. Services are confidential and free for qualifying survivors. Inquire about services for male and non-binary victims when you call.

352-521-3120 · PO Box 928, Dade City, FL 33526 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

11. 1in6 - Support for Male Survivors — Free

National nonprofit helping men heal from childhood or adult sexual abuse and assault. Free anonymous weekly online support groups facilitated by professional counselors. Resources, information, and survivor stories available at 1in6.org. Partners with RAINN for 24/7 crisis support at 800-656-4673. Serving male survivors who often face unique barriers to seeking help. All support groups are confidential and led by trained professionals.

800-656-4673 · 24/7 hotline; weekly online support groups · Visit Website

12. MaleSurvivor - Male Sexual Assault & Abuse Support — Free

National organization with 14,000+ members supporting male survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Offers moderated online discussion forums, a therapist directory specializing in male survivors, and professionally facilitated multi-day healing retreats. Free online community and resources for men and their partners. Visit malesurvivor.org to access forums, find a therapist, or learn about upcoming weekend healing retreats held across the country.

Visit Website

13. DomesticShelters.org - Florida Directory — Free

Searchable directory of all 58 domestic violence organizations in Florida. Filter by location to find programs that welcome male victims. Over 86% of profiled programs accept male survivors. Includes program details, available services, shelter capacity, and contact information. Visit domesticshelters.org/help/fl to search by city or county. Free to use 24/7. A helpful first step for any male survivor unsure where to turn for help in Florida.

Visit Website

14. Women's Center of Jacksonville — DV Services — Free

Certified DV center for Duval County providing crisis intervention, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and peer support groups. Serves all genders including male survivors. 24-hour crisis line and walk-in services available. Call 904-722-3000 anytime for immediate support. Visit womenscenterofjax.org for a full listing of services. Located in Jacksonville. Safety planning assistance available to anyone in a dangerous or threatening situation.

904-722-3000 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

15. Peaceful Paths — Gainesville — Free

Certified DV center serving Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties in the Gainesville area. Provides emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis line, individual counseling, and legal advocacy for survivors of all genders including male victims. Call 352-377-8255 anytime for crisis support or shelter placement. Visit peacefulpaths.org for a full list of services. All services are confidential and provided at no cost to qualifying survivors.

352-377-8255 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

16. Quigley House — Clay County (Green Cove Springs) — Free

Certified domestic violence and sexual assault center serving Clay County in the Green Cove Springs area. Provides emergency shelter at a confidential location, individual counseling, and victim advocacy services. Serves all genders including male survivors. Call 904-284-0061 anytime for crisis support or to access services. Visit quigleyhouse.org for full service listings. All assistance is free and confidential for qualifying survivors in Clay County.

904-284-0061 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

17. Serene Harbor — Brevard County (Melbourne) — Free

Certified DV center serving Brevard County with emergency shelter, transitional housing, individual counseling, and legal advocacy for survivors. 24/7 crisis line available at 321-726-8282. Located in Melbourne, FL. Visit sereneharbor.org for full service details and intake information. Inquire about services for male survivors when you call. All services are free and confidential for qualifying individuals and families in Brevard County.

321-726-8282 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

18. Abuse Counseling & Treatment (ACT) — Lee County (Fort Myers) — Free

Certified DV center serving Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties in Southwest Florida. Provides emergency shelter at a confidential location, 24-hour hotline, community outreach, individual counseling, and legal services for survivors. Call 239-939-3112 anytime. Visit actabuse.com for full service information. Located in Fort Myers. All services are confidential and free for qualifying survivors. Inquire about services available for male victims when you call.

239-939-3112 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

19. Safety Net Seminole County (Sanford) — Free

Domestic violence services for Seminole County including 24-hour crisis line, personalized safety planning, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and housing assistance for survivors. Call 407-302-5220 anytime to speak with a crisis counselor or access services. Located in Sanford, FL. All services are free and confidential. Serves all survivors regardless of gender. Ask about non-residential services if you are not in immediate danger.

407-302-5220 · 24/7 hotline

20. Florida DV Injunction Self-Help Forms — Free

Official Florida Supreme Court forms for filing a domestic violence injunction (restraining order). Available for all genders including male petitioners. The 12.980 form series covers domestic violence, dating violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, and stalking injunctions. Forms can be filed without an attorney at your local courthouse clerk's office. Available online 24/7. Visit the Florida Courts website for the full form series and filing instructions.

Online 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.