Help that meets you where you are
You don't have to be ready to leave. You don't even have to be sure it's abuse. Delaware advocates are there to listen, answer questions, and help you think — for free, confidentially, with no pressure to do anything. Every line below welcomes callers of all genders and orientations.
Kent & Sussex County Domestic Violence Hotline
Sussex County's 24/7 line, run by the SAFE Program at People's Place. Free · Confidential · Safety planning, shelter, and referrals.
More Delaware lines, any hour
- YWCA SARC (sexual assault & DV)800-773-8570
- CAMP Rehoboth (LGBTQ+)302-227-5620
- New Castle County302-762-6110
- U.S. National backup1-800-799-7233
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If your devices may be monitored, consider a friend's phone, a Sussex County library computer, or a public phone — and remember the Quick Exit button (or press Esc twice).
Quiet signs worth trusting
Isolation
They slowly pull you away from friends, family, chosen family, work, or money of your own.
Monitoring
Your phone, location, messages, and spending are watched or controlled.
Walking on eggshells
You rehearse sentences before saying them. You manage their moods to stay safe.
Using your identity against you
Threatening to out you, misgendering you, withholding medication or documents, or insisting no one will believe or help "someone like you."
Blame that always lands on you
Every apology you give; every forgiveness they expect.
Fear
Of their voice, their silence, their car in the driveway. Love should never feel like fear.
The trail out, in four mile-markers
Tell one safe person
A friend, a sibling, a doctor, a hotline advocate — anyone who feels safe, including chosen family. Saying it out loud once breaks the spell of secrecy.
Make a quiet safety plan
People's Place advocates can help you think through documents, a small bag, money, medications, and a place to go — at your pace, whether or not you're ready to leave.
Reach out for support
Delaware hotlines, Sussex County shelters, and PFA advocates are free and judgment-free. You can call just to talk. Nothing happens that you don't choose.
Heal at your own speed
Counseling, support groups, time. The fear fades. Your own voice comes back. People rebuild — every single day, here in Delaware, people rebuild.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Every resource on this site is free, confidential, and judgment-free.