Ready to Help.

Understanding your rights, options, and next steps.

 

Domestic violence is a preventable public health crisis.

 

Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include emotional abuse, psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or financial abuse. It is the result of a person’s feeling of entitlement to have power and control over their partner or family member and their choice to use abusive behaviors to gain and maintain that power and control.

Domestic violence is a pervasive, life-threatening crime that affects thousands of individuals in Connecticut regardless of age, gender, economic status, race, ethnicity, ability, religion, sexual orientation or education. The pattern of abusive behavior is designed to make the victim dependent upon the abuser, leaving the victim feeling scared, confused, and insecure about their ability to survive on their own, financially or otherwise.

 

Intimate partner violence is more prevalent for women in the U.S.

than breast cancer and diabetes combined.

 

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home and live a life free from abuse.

 

Connecticut has a variety of laws that seek to provide both civil and criminal court-based protections for survivors. CCADV’s 18 member organizations and Safe Connect have advocates available across the state to guide you through the options and resources that can help keep you and your children safe.

This may include court-based protections and the processes that follow, or applying for programs that can help keep your location confidential or cover certain medical expenses or lost wages resulting from injury that are not covered by insurance or other financial resources.

 

Learn More on CT Laws & Survivors' Rights

 

You have the power to keep yourself safe.

You are in control and have the power to make the decision that best fits your circumstances. Having a practical plan can help you identify things you can do to better protect you and your children at home, school, work and in the community.

Make a Plan at Safe Connect

While you can’t control your partner’s abusive behavior, you can protect yourself.

You know your situation best, but you may not know about all of the possible options to help keep you + your children safe and from harm.

That’s where CCADV, our 18 member organizations, and Safe Connect come in.

Our advocates can discuss possible options and help you think through the pros and cons of each. We’ll guide you, but we’ll never tell you what to do.

One way to keep yourself safe is to create a safety plan with an advocate.

A personalized and practical plan is something you should consider whether you’re planning to remain in the relationship or leave the relationship.

A plan may help you safely escape violence + reduce your risk of being physically hurt.

Our advocates can assist you in developing a personalized safety plan that considers the unique needs of you and your children.

You lead. We guide.

Your safety is our priority. Our advocates are here to listen and provide you with the support and guidance you need to make decisions about your safety. We’ll help you identify relevant options and think through various possible outcomes, but ultimately you’re in the driver’s seat and will pick what works best for you and your family.

All services are confidential, safe, free, and voluntary. VISIT SAFE CONNECT NOW.

 
Safe Connect, Connecticut’s domestic violence information and resource line, is the entry point for domestic violence services in Connecticut.

It is a project of CCADV that seeks to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, and statewide response to the needs of survivors. Safe Connect advocates can assess your needs, connect you with your local CCADV member organization for continued services, and make referrals to other community-based resources that may help. You can connect with Safe Connect advocates 24/7 in the way that is safest for you - via phone call, text, live chat or email.

CCADV’s 18 member organizations provide critical services directly to survivors across the state.

They are your local resource for ongoing support and advocacy. Some of the services they provide include counseling, court-based advocacy, support groups, children’s advocacy, emergency shelter and housing options, advocacy around basic needs, long term safety planning, and more. They’ll be there to support and guide you as you navigate your relationship and the options that will increase your safety and well-being.

Make a safety plan for yourself and your family.

We're working in partnership with survivors
to increase safety.

You can’t control your partner’s abusive behavior but you can take steps to protect yourself and your children from harm. Safety planning is the process of our advocates working in partnership with survivors to understand the situation from the survivor’s perspective and together creating a plan for safety and for moving forward in life.
 

How To Stay Safe

You know your situation best and part of safety planning is building on strategies and supports that you have likely already identified.

It’s an interactive process focused on immediate, short, and long-term needs whether or not you intend to end the relationship. Bottom line, our advocates are here to offer you options and support, but you take the lead and decide what works best for you.

Here are some considerations when thinking about the safety of you and your children. We strongly encourage you to contact Safe Connect and have a conversation with an advocate. All services are safe, free, confidential, and completely voluntary.

Although everyone's situation is different, planning ahead is important. Below are some considerations when thinking about the safety of you and your children.

  • What friends or family can you call?
  • Should you call 911/police?
  • Where can you go to be safe?
  • Should you get a restraining order?
  • What do you need to protect your children?

Although everyone's situation is different, planning ahead is important. Below are some considerations when thinking about the safety of you and your children.

  • Is leaving safe and how can you safely maintain contact if you must?
  • What important documents, medications, or evidence of abuse do you need to bring?
  • What will you do about pets?
  • Do you have information to access bank accounts and do you need to change passwords?
  • What will you need to increase your child’s comfort if you do decide to leave?

Although everyone's situation is different, planning ahead is important. Below are some considerations when thinking about the safety of you and your children.

  • Teach children how to use the phone and develop a code word for when they should call 911.
  • Tell the people who take care of your children (e.g., school, daycare, a babysitter, etc.) who has permission to pick them up and be sure they can recognize those people.
  • Share copies of orders of protection with your child’s school or daycare.
  • If you must exchange your children with your abuser, consider doing so in a public place or having a family member or friend accompany you.