Information for Witnesses and Victims of Domestic Violence

Every year, 6 million people nationwide are victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence can involve physical, verbal, emotional, economic, or sexual abuse. The abuser may be your husband, wife, domestic partner, parent, or child, or any other household or family member. These questions and answers will give you information on domestic violence, and tell you how the District Attorney's Office can help.

I want the abuse to stop. What should I do?

First and foremost, you should call 911 for help immediately. If you are unable to do so, you should go to a police station nearest to where the abuse has occurred. You should also seek medical attention and have photographs taken of your injuries. Remember, any evidence of the abuse, such as broken furniture, a ripped telephone cord, or torn clothing is helpful in the investigation and prosecution of your case.

My abuser has been arrested. What happens now?

After arrest, the abuser will appear before a judge. This process is called an arraignment. An attorney will represent the abuser, and an Assistant District Attorney will represent the People of the State of New York. The case against the abuser is brought in the name of the People of the State of New York, not your name. At arraignment, the judge can set bail, hold the abuser in jail without bail, or release the abuser who must then return to court on a future date. Usually the abuser is arraigned within 24 hours.

BEWARE: The abuser may be released at any time after arraignment.

What do you mean my abuser can be released? Don't I get any protection?

At arraignment, the Assistant District Attorney can ask the judge to issue an order of protection. An order of protection is a court order that instructs the abuser to refrain from having any contact with you whatsoever. In addition, it can order him or her to refrain from certain conduct, including harassing, intimidating, threatening, assaulting, or stalking you. If the abuser violates the order of protection, he or she can be re-arrested.

Now that I have this order of protection, how safe am I?

An order of protection cannot guarantee your safety. Therefore, it is important to have a safety plan. Our office can assist you in obtaining court-related information and social services to help provide for your safety and ease any emotional trauma. In connection with your abuser's case, our Witness Aid Services Unit and our Northern Manhattan Office will help you:

In addition, our office can help you obtain a variety of other services including:

Can you still help me, if I don't want my abuser arrested?

In order to proceed in Criminal Court, you must have a criminal case, and a criminal case requires an arrest. However, you also have the option to file a petition with Family Court when a family offense has been committed against you. Family Court is a civil court, and a proceeding will not result in a criminal record for the abuser. In order to proceed in Family Court, you and the abuser must:

For more information regarding Family Court proceedings, contact:

Family Court
60 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10013

Deputy Clerk's Office (General Information)
Phone: 646-386-5200

New York City Resources and Services for Victims of Domestic Violence

Please note this resource list is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a recommendation of any of the specific services provided by the programs. This brochure does not list every domestic violence resource available in New York City.

Barrier Free Living, Inc.
Phone: 212-533-4358
TDD: 212-533-4632
Provides services to disabled domestic violence victims, including advocacy, individual counseling, support groups, skills training, shelter referrals and help in obtaining orders of protection. Services are available citywide in English, Spanish and Sign Language.

Harlem Legal Services Domestic Violence Project
Phone: 212-348-7449
Provides victims of domestic violence with legal representation in Family Court (for custody, visitation, and child support matters) and help in obtaining orders for protection. Services are available in English and Spanish.

N.Y. Asian Women's Center
Phone: 888-888-7702 (9 AM - 7 PM)
Provides crisis intervention, safe shelter, counseling, advocacy and community education with specific consideration to unique issues faced by battered Asian women. Services are available in English, Chinese, Korean and other Asian languages or dialects.

NYC Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project
Phone: 212-714-1184
24 Hour Hotline: 212-714-1141
TDD: 212-714-1134
Provides services to gay, lesbian and bisexual victims, including counseling, police advocacy, court advocacy for legal and medical issues, support groups, and community education.

Sanctuary for Families, Inc.
Phone: 212-349-6009
Provides domestic violence victims and their children with shelter, counseling, advocacy, referrals, support groups and legal services. Services are available in English and Spanish.

Urban Justice Center: Coordinated Action Against Violence (CAAV)
Phone: 646-602-5600
Provides battered women in the 25th Precinct with referrals to crisis counseling, advocacy for legal and medical issues, shelter and information.

Violence Intervention Program
24 Hour Hotline: 800-664-5880
Provides battered women with crisis counseling, advocacy (court, medical, etc.), support groups, community education, referrals, and shelter. Services are available in English and Spanish.

New York City Domestic Violence 24 Hour Hotline
Phone: 800-621-HOPE
TDD: 866-604-5350

New York State Hotlines
Phone: 1-800-942-6906 (English)
Phone: 1-800-942-6907 (Spanish)

New York City Police Department
The NYPD has a domestic violence unit in every precinct in New York City. Officers in these units are specially trained to handle domestic violence cases. Below is a listing of the Manhattan precincts.

NYPD Housing Domestic Violence Unit

Police Precincts