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 Washington

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 Washington

Washington superior courts handle family matters in each of its 39 counties. The Division of Child Support operates under DSHS. Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue are the major metros. Northwest Justice Project is the statewide LSC-funded program, with Snohomish County Legal Services, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Volunteer Legal Services, and King County Bar providing local support.

16 Resources

1. Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

Statewide nonprofit leading efforts to end domestic violence through advocacy, policy reform, training, and support for local DV programs. Serves as a hub connecting survivors to member agencies across every Washington county. Dads experiencing abuse or seeking resources can use the website's directory to find local programs for shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling. No intake documents required to call or browse; local member agencies will handle intake for direct services.

206-389-2515 · 711 Capitol Way S, Suite 702, Olympia, WA 98501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

24/7 confidential hotline providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local Washington services in 200+ languages via interpreter. Serves all genders including male survivors. No ID, insurance, or income documents required to call, text, or chat online. Advocates help callers think through safety, custody, and legal options and connect to nearby shelters, legal aid, and counseling. Have county or ZIP ready so advocates can refer appropriately.

1-800-799-7233 · National (serves all WA residents) · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. New Beginnings (Seattle) — Free

Provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, counseling, and children's programs for domestic violence survivors in the Seattle area. Serves King County residents including male and nonbinary survivors through confidential services. Call the 24-hour helpline for intake; shelter placement depends on capacity. Bring photo ID if possible, any court orders like protection orders, medication, and essentials for children. Safety is the priority; staff help with documentation later.

206-522-9472 · P.O. Box 75125, Seattle, WA 98175 · 24-hour helpline; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. LifeWire (East King County) — Free

Serves DV survivors in East King County (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah area) with emergency shelter, legal advocacy, housing assistance, therapy, and children's services. Accepts all gender identities. Call the 24-hour crisis line for intake; advocates help with safety planning before shelter placement. Bring photo ID if possible, court orders such as protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Documentation can follow safe entry to services.

425-746-1940 · P.O. Box 6398, Bellevue, WA 98008 · 24-hour crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

5. YWCA Pierce County (Tacoma) — Free

Emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, counseling, and children's programs for DV survivors in the Tacoma-Pierce County area. Confidential 24-hour crisis line provides immediate support, safety planning, and referrals. Call for intake; shelter placement depends on capacity. Bring photo ID if safe to do so, court orders such as protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help survivors obtain replacement documents when needed.

253-383-2593 · 405 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 · 24-hour crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. YWCA Spokane - Alternatives to DV — Free

Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, support groups, and children's services for DV survivors in the Spokane region. Confidential 24-hour crisis line provides immediate support, safety planning, and referrals to shelter and partner programs. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe to do so, court orders such as protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help replace documents and connect survivors to benefits.

509-326-2255 · 930 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99201 · 24-hour crisis line; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Human Response Network (Clark County) — Free

Serves DV and sexual assault survivors in Clark County (Vancouver area) with emergency shelter, advocacy, and support services for all gender identities. Confidential 24-hour crisis line provides immediate support, safety planning, and referrals. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe to do so, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help with document replacement and connect survivors to legal aid and benefits.

360-695-0501 · P.O. Box 2610, Vancouver, WA 98668 · 24-hour crisis line; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

8. SafePlace (Olympia) — Free

Thurston County DV program providing emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, support groups, and children's services for survivors in the Olympia area. Confidential 24-hour crisis line. Serves all gender identities. Call for intake; shelter placement depends on capacity and safety assessment. Bring photo ID if safe, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help replace documents and connect survivors to benefits and legal aid.

360-754-6300 · P.O. Box 7398, Olympia, WA 98507 · 24-hour crisis line · Visit Website

9. Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County — Free

Emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, counseling, and children's programs for DV survivors in Snohomish County (Everett area). Confidential 24-hour crisis line provides immediate support, safety planning, and referrals. Serves all gender identities. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help obtain replacement documents and connect survivors to legal aid and benefits.

425-252-2873 · P.O. Box 12220, Everett, WA 98206 · 24-hour crisis line; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Kittitas County Coalition Against DV — Free

Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services for DV survivors in Kittitas County (Ellensburg area). Confidential 24-hour crisis line for safety planning, shelter access, and referrals. Serves all gender identities. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help survivors obtain replacement documents, access benefits, and connect with legal aid for protection orders.

509-925-9384 · P.O. Box 903, Ellensburg, WA 98926 · 24-hour crisis line · Visit Website

11. Walla Walla YWCA - DV Services — Free

Emergency shelter, crisis counseling, advocacy, and support groups for DV survivors in Walla Walla County. Confidential 24-hour crisis line provides immediate support, safety planning, and referrals for survivors of all gender identities. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe to do so, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help survivors obtain replacement documents, access benefits, and connect with legal aid for protection orders.

509-529-9922 · 215 S 1st Ave, Walla Walla, WA 99362 · 24-hour crisis line; office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services — Free

Emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, and support groups for DV and sexual assault survivors in Skagit County (Mount Vernon area). Confidential 24-hour crisis line for immediate support, safety planning, and referrals. Serves all gender identities. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help survivors replace documents, access benefits, and connect with legal aid.

360-336-9591 · P.O. Box 300, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 · 24-hour crisis line

13. Lower Valley Crisis & Support Services (Yakima) — Free

DV crisis services, emergency shelter, and advocacy for survivors in the lower Yakima Valley area including Sunnyside and surrounding communities. Confidential 24-hour crisis line provides immediate support, safety planning, and referrals. Serves all gender identities. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe to do so, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff assist with document replacement and legal aid connections.

509-837-6689 · P.O. Box 423, Sunnyside, WA 98944 · 24-hour crisis line

14. Kitsap County DV Hotline (YWCA) — Free

24-hour crisis line and DV services for Kitsap County (Bremerton/Port Orchard) survivors including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning, and support groups. Serves all gender identities. Call the crisis line for intake; advocates help with safety planning before placement. Bring photo ID if safe, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff help survivors replace documents, access benefits, and obtain protection orders with legal aid.

360-479-1980 · P.O. Box 1180, Bremerton, WA 98337 · 24-hour crisis line · Visit Website

15. Support, Advocacy & Resource Center (Kennewick) — Free

Serves DV and sexual assault survivors in Benton and Franklin Counties (Tri-Cities) with crisis intervention, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and support groups. Confidential 24-hour crisis line for safety planning and referrals. Serves all gender identities. Call for intake. Bring photo ID if safe, any existing protection orders, medications, and essentials for children. Staff assist with document replacement, benefits access, and protection order filings.

509-374-5391 · 28 S Auburn St, Kennewick, WA 99336 · 24-hour crisis line · Visit Website

16. Strong Hearts Native Helpline — Free

National helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives affected by domestic, dating, and sexual violence. Culturally appropriate support available from advocates who understand tribal sovereignty, reservation life, and intergenerational trauma. Serves Washington tribal communities and all WA residents who identify as Native. No ID or registration required to call or chat online; advocates help with safety planning, crisis support, and referrals to local tribal and non-tribal DV programs.

1-844-762-8483 · National (serves WA tribal communities) · 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.