Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Sexual Violence

If you are unsure what type of assistance you need, a good first place to start would be to contact SafeLink, the statewide 24/7 domestic violence hotline, or your local Rape Crisis Center.

For survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing, please see the information below regarding the Deaf Survivors Program. If you are a person with a disability, please see the Disabled Persons Protection Commissions, Sexual Assault Response Unit information below. These programs can help identify the next best steps based on your situation.

Rape Crisis Centers offer FREE services for adolescent and adult sexual assault survivors, and for people who care about survivors of all ages. To find your local RCC, click here.

SANE nurses are uniquely trained nurses that will respond to SANE certified hospitals when a sexual assault patient has presented and provide resources free of charge. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also works with health care and law enforcement agencies to maintain a sexual assault evidence collection kit tracking system accessible to survivors.

Domestic Violence (DV) services offered throughout Massachusetts are FREE services for children, adolescent, and adult survivors.

Each DV Program has an array of service models offered at their site. No two DV Program service models are alike, so it is important to contact the provider in your area directly to learn what services they offer. The array of possible services includes emergency shelters, housing stabilization, children exposed to domestic violence, supervised visitation centers, certified intimate partner abuse education services, and more. Each include a range of activities and

Child abuse and neglect are serious public health problems that can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity, and wellbeing.

Referring to under the age of 18, child abuse takes on many forms to include physical, sexual, emotional and neglect from a caregiver or another adult in the child’s life such as a teacher, coach, daycare worker. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact your local police department for assistance.

You may find yourself navigating criminal, civil, or probate issues in legal systems that seem complex and intimidating.

Working alongside a trained sexual or domestic violence advocate or lawyer can alleviate the stress of this process, help you understand your rights and access services. The information provided below serves to help you understand your options and resources as a survivor.

If you are fleeing abuse and you or you and your children need temporary, safe refuge and feel you are at imminent risk of violence, please call the SafeLink hotline at 877-785-2020.

If you need to move immediately, a shelter may be the best option for you. Use the interactive map of shelters throughout the state to find what is available.

Human trafficking can occur in a wide range of settings, from private homes and farms to factories, restaurants, and massage parlors. The sex trade, forced labor in various industries, and domestic servitude are common avenues for exploitation. Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities in numerous sectors, making it crucial to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.

Below are some key resources available in Massachusetts for victims of HT and those seeking help.

City, Town, State, and Federal Elected Representatives and Services

The governor doesn’t have jurisdiction over city, town, or county issues or over federal agencies or programs. 

For local concerns, contact your elected representative of local government or your Massachusetts State Representative.

• Find your state legislators
• Find your city or town officials

For concerns related to federal agencies or programs, contact your federal representatives.

• Find your U.S. Representative
• Find your U.S. Senator

You can also contact U.S. Sen. Ed Markey or U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Local Police and State Police

The governor doesn’t have jurisdiction over local police departments. If you have a complaint against a police officer, contact the POST Commission. 

If you have a complaint against a Massachusetts State Police Employee, policy, procedure, or operation, please submit a Public Response Report. 

Massachusetts Judicial Branch

The governor cannot intervene in court cases or resolve judicial matters, such as complaints against judges or legal offices. If you have a complaint against a judge or the courts, contact the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct or call them at (617) 725-8050.