Last Updated April 18, 2025

How to report stalking including cyberstalking and get an Order of Protection in New York

Outline

Recently updated on April 18th, 2025 at 10:49 pm

Stalking is generally defined as being followed without permission, and now there is online stalking of surveilling activities online.

In New York stalking is a crime i.e. you can report it to the police and they will take legal action against the person stalking you. However proving that someone is stalking you can be difficult and something that might be simpler is to get a restraining order against that person which requires less evidence.

Stalkers use many tactics, such as:

Making unwanted phone calls or texts

Approaching the victim or showing up in places when the victim does not want them to.

Following and watching the victim.

Sending unwanted photos, emails, and messages through social media.

Sending unwanted gifts.

Using technology to monitor, track, and/or spy on the victim.

Online Harassment: Making rude, offensive, or suggestive comments online

Catfishing: Using manipulative tactics, such as luring someone into a relationship, to harm them

Impersonation: Posting comments on social media or in chat rooms in the victim’s name

Monitoring: Installing a recording or monitoring device on the victim’s computer or smartphone to save their keystrokes

Spoofing: Disguising the content of a link, email, text message, or display name to trick the receiver into giving away sensitive information

Phishing: Deceptively posing as a trustworthy source to trick people into giving away personal or financial information

Legal Definition

In New York, stalking is defined in the state’s penal law as a course of conduct targeted at a specific person that is intended to or does cause fear, harm, or substantial emotional distress. This can include behavior such as following someone, repeatedly appearing at their home or workplace, making threats, or using electronic means to monitor or harass.

Key Elements of Stalking in NY:

Course of Conduct: Stalking usually involves repeated actions, not a single instance.
Intent or Knowledge: The stalker must know, or should reasonably know, that their behavior would cause fear or distress.
Effect on the Victim: The actions must result in actual fear, substantial harm, or serious emotional distress to the victim.

Stalking Charges in NY:

Stalking offenses in New York are categorized into four degrees:

Stalking in the Fourth Degree (§ 120.45):
- This law prohibits engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that is likely to cause fear for their safety, harm, or emotional distress.
- The use of electronic devices (e.g., emails, social media, GPS tracking) to monitor or harass someone can be prosecuted under this section.
Stalking in the Third Degree (§ 120.50):
- Escalates the offense to cases where the stalker uses technology to repeatedly threaten or harass multiple victims or violates an existing court order.
Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree (§ 240.30):
- Criminalizes communication through electronic means (such as phone calls, text messages, emails, or social media) intended to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm someone. This includes sending messages of a threatening or obscene nature.
Stalking in the Second and First Degrees (§ 120.55, § 120.60):
- Applies when electronic stalking escalates to physical harm, weapon involvement, or the perpetration of stalking in conjunction with other criminal acts.

Option 1: Call the Cops

Stalking is a crime and you can report it to your local police department (or Sheriff’s office for people living outside cities)

Cyberstalking in New York

In New York, cyberstalking is considered a type of stalking, and those accused can face misdemeanor or felony charges, known as a “wobbler.” Cyberstalking in New York is similar to traditional stalking but involves electronic communication devices. An “electronic communication device” includes the Internet, cell phones, landlines, text messages, email, fax machines, or any other type of electronic device.

In the late 1990s, the law was updated to include “electronically communicated threats” in the definition of credible threats. New York’s cyberstalking laws make it illegal to stalk someone using electronic devices, constituting a form of online harassment through the Internet’s anonymity.

The prosecutor’s decision to file charges usually depends on factors like:

Whether the victim had already filed a restraining order,
The defendant’s criminal history,
Whether the stalking was related to a domestic violence case.

New laws are needed to protect people from digital abuse, but legislating the Internet can sometimes raise First Amendment concerns, especially with cyberstalking charges.

With the rise of social media and other online platforms, cyberstalking cases are becoming more common.

It’s crucial to handle these charges carefully to maintain a clean criminal record. Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers will provide more details below

CHAPTER 2. Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses – 646.9.

(a) Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison.

(b) Any person who violates subdivision (a) when there is a temporary restraining order, injunction, or any other court order in effect prohibiting the behavior described in subdivision (a) against the same party, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years.

(c) (1) Every person who, after having been convicted of a felony under Section 273.5, 273.6, or 422, commits a violation of subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or five years.

(2) Every person who, after having been convicted of a felony under subdivision (a), commits a violation of this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or five years.

(d) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, the sentencing court may order a person convicted of a felony under this section to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290.006.

(e) For the purposes of this section, “harasses” means engages in a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, torments, or terrorizes the person, and that serves no legitimate purpose.

(f) For the purposes of this section, “course of conduct” means two or more acts occurring over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of “course of conduct.”

(g) For the purposes of this section, “credible threat” means a verbal or written threat, including that performed through the use of an electronic communication device, or a threat implied by a pattern of conduct or a combination of verbal, written, or electronically communicated statements and conduct, made with the intent to place the person that is the target of the threat in reasonable fear for his or her safety or the safety of his or her family, and made with the apparent ability to carry out the threat so as to cause the person who is the target of the threat to reasonably fear for his or her safety or the safety of his or her family. It is not necessary to prove that the defendant had the intent to actually carry out the threat. The present incarceration of a person making the threat shall not be a bar to prosecution under this section. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of “credible threat.”

(h) For purposes of this section, the term “electronic communication device” includes, but is not limited to, telephones, cellular phones, computers, video recorders, fax machines, or pagers. “Electronic communication” has the same meaning as the term defined in Subsection 12 of Section 2510 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

(i) This section shall not apply to conduct that occurs during labor picketing.

(j) If probation is granted, or the execution or imposition of a sentence is suspended, for any person convicted under this section, it shall be a condition of probation that the person participate in counseling, as designated by the court. However, the court, upon a showing of good cause, may find that the counseling requirement shall not be imposed.

(k) (1) The sentencing court also shall consider issuing an order restraining the defendant from any contact with the victim, that may be valid for up to 10 years, as determined by the court. It is the intent of the Legislature that the length of any restraining order be based upon the seriousness of the facts before the court, the probability of future violations, and the safety of the victim and his or her immediate family.

(2) This protective order may be issued by the court whether the defendant is sentenced to state prison, county jail, or if imposition of sentence is suspended and the defendant is placed on probation.

(l) For purposes of this section, “immediate family” means any spouse, parent, child, any person related by consanguinity or affinity within the second degree, or any other person who regularly resides in the household, or who, within the prior six months, regularly resided in the household.

(m) The court shall consider whether the defendant would benefit from treatment pursuant to Section 2684. If it is determined to be appropriate, the court shall recommend that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation make a certification as provided in Section 2684. Upon the certification, the defendant shall be evaluated and transferred to the appropriate hospital for treatment pursuant to Section 2684.

Evidence for Crime

The Police (or Sheriff) will ask you for evidence because in order to file a case for CPC 646.9 Stalking, the state needs evidence that proves that the legal definition of stalking was met, and for that they need to prove these sub-points:

The stalker intentionally followed or harassed someone
The stalker did that multiple times
The stalker threatened you which caused you to be fearful of your own or your loved ones safety

How to Report

Call 911 if there is an emergency that requires immediate assistance from the police because the crime is in progress or just occurred, someone is pointing a weapon at someone or if there’s suspicious or violent physical activity.
Report the local police via phone or via their website which may have a small questionnaire. Select the police department of where the incident occurred. For example if you generally live in the City of Los Angeles but experienced stalking in Burbank then call the Burbank police department.

Punishment if convicted

If convicted of stalking, the penalties are usually severe. Stalking is considered a “wobbler” offense, meaning the prosecutor can choose to charge it as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

Additionally, in cases involving special circumstances, such as a prior stalking conviction, the charge must be filed as a felony. The possible punishments for stalking are as follows:

Misdemeanor offense: Up to one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine.
Felony offense: Up to five years in state prison and a $1,000 fine.
Felony interstate stalking: Up to five years in federal prison and substantial fines.
Sentencing is influenced by factors such as the defendant’s criminal history and any other crimes committed in conjunction with the stalking offense.

If someone is convicted of stalking while a restraining order is in effect, they could face two to four years in state prison. In some cases, the defendant may also be required to register as a sex offender.

Importance of Reporting to the Police in all situations

Even if you plan to not pursue a criminal case, reporting the incident formally (which may take 10-20 minutes online at the Police Department’s official website) will help you build evidence for future. Having a concrete police report with a date, and details will strengthen your case by showing repeat pattern, and additionally serve as evidence in case you opt to get a restraining order.

Option 2: Request a Restraining Order (Order of Protection)

You can request for a restraining order against a person you suspect is stalking you. You can ask for the restraining order by itself only, or in addition to the criminal case i.e. you can do both.

There are two types of restraining orders and the appropriate one depends on your relationship with the stalker.

The types are:

Order of Protection (OP) If you’re being abused by a current or former intimate partner or a relative by blood or marriage then you can get a Order of Protection against them with judge ordering them to stop the harmful behavior as per New York Consolidated Laws, Family Court Act – FCT § 842, § 846-a. Create Order of Protection

Harassment Restraining Orders These orders protect individuals from harassment, stalking, or threats from another person. They are typically issued in cases where there is no familial relationship between the parties involved. (NY Consolidated Laws, Civil Practice Law & Rules – CVP § 6340)

(Not quite ready for online filing)

Evidence Needed for an Order of Protection

So if you suspect you’re being stalked you can start organizing the evidence which you can submit with the initial petition and then again at a court hearing.

Pending Criminal Case: Judges are also more likely to issue an order if there is an ongoing criminal case, therefore it’s important to call such cases out when seeking a temporary restraining order, including any police report filed. When a judge sees that there’s a criminal case happening, they might think it means the police or the district attorney are pretty sure they can prove the crime happened, and that strengthens your claims.
Photos of stalking: These are the most common types of evidence submitted. These can be photos of victim’s injuries inflicted by the abuser. It is helpful to add photos next to the related incident description to help create a complete picture for the judge.
Print outs of messages, emails or transcripts of voicemail: You can take screenshots of text messages and attach them. Similarly you can print emails and attach them as pictures or PDF files. While in most cases you cannot submit digital files such as
911 Calls reporting the stalking: Rather than just saying you called 911 or any specific hotline, you can make your case stronger by listing the following items
- The number dialed in case of the domestic hotline
- The date and time (or approximate date and time) when the call was made
- Who made the call
- What was reported on the call
- Any specific details of the person who answer the 911 call e.g. male/female voice
Records from Hospital or Psychologist: If you talked about the stalking to a professional, a school counselor, a shrink or a therapist, you can have them issue a record of that conversation to serve as written evidence. These could be hospital visit records, print outs from your hospital portal (E.g. mychart) showing details of your visit.
Police reports: You can attach a copy of the police reports filed against abuser for domestic violence.
Testimony from a Witness: A testimony is a formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law. The witness can be anyone such as a family member, neighbor a co-worker or a bystander. The testimony is just an essay written describing the incidents witnessed, with as many specifics as possible.

Steps: How do I file for an Order of Protection

In New York state, an Order of Protection (commonly called a restraining order) is a court-issued directive requiring an abuser to refrain from contacting or approaching their victim. It is granted in cases involving harassment, abuse, threats, stalking, or physical harm. Violating an Order of Protection can result in criminal charges and potential jail time. These orders, which apply specifically to domestic violence cases, are governed by New York State law rather than federal law.

Start by Viewing Questions

Order of Protection in New York state can be filed either online, or by filling a copy of the official forms issued by the Supreme Court of New York state. You can also attach any evidence to your application to strengthen your case.

In summary one has to

Fill a set of standard forms. These are issued by the Supreme Court, and gather information about you, the abuser, the abuse and going forward what protections are needed
Formally submit the forms with the Court: These can be submitted to the Filing online (also called e-filing) is the process of submitting your forms electronically as opposed to in person. Filing involves delivering your case documents to the Superior Court’s system, then during business hours the clerk reviews the documents to ensure correctness and completeness, stamps them as accepted to complete the filing process. Then a Judge reviews your paperwork and the subsequent steps follow.

The same laws apply across New York such as in Kings County, Queens, New York City, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Bronx County, Westchester County, Erie County, Monroe County, Richmond County and so on.

Step 1: Gather evidence

How this Website Works

The first part of the online wizard asks some simple questions to establish that your situation meets the basic requirements of an Order of Protection in New York state. You can also use it to privately explore the steps involved.

1. Take Screening

The first part of the online wizard asks some simple questions to establish that your situation meets the basic requirements of an Order of Protection in New York state. You can also use it to privately explore the steps involved.

2. Prepare Documents for Order of Protection

The online wizard will the present the main questions. Your responses will be used to create a final set of documents. One topic at a time. Questions are in simple language free from confusing legal language. Then digitally sign. No need to download. No need to print.

3. Consult Local Nonprofit (Optional)

Depending on your location, our website may help you schedule an appointment with a local, independent, and free victim advocacy nonprofit. These organizations operate separately from LegalAtoms, ensuring you receive unbiased support. Typically funded by the federal government, they assist those in need with legal processes. Advocates can help with certain aspects of your case, provide safety planning, review your case documents, and speak with you directly about your situation.

4 File with the Court (E-file or In Person)

This website streamlines the filing to your county’as Family Court in New York to just a few clicks and provides follow-up notifications from the court. You also have the option to download and print the PDF forms to file in person.

Gather Evidence for New York Courts

The first step is to gather evidence to support your case. What proof is required for an Order of Protection in New York? Below are examples to help you organize, though any relevant evidence that supports your claims can be used.

Please note the court will not do its own investigation. It will base its decision on the evidence you provide, and then the questions asked during the formal hearing with both the victim and the abuser present.

Criminal Case

In New York State, an ongoing criminal case indicates that the district attorney has found sufficient evidence of abuse or related crimes, reinforcing the validity of your claims in an Order of Protection request.

Photos

Photos of violence, injuries, damage

Messages

Print outs of messages, emails or transcripts of voicemail

Record of 911 Calls

For each call document the #, date, time, caller, callee details

Medical Records

Documentation of any medical emergencies or injuries or treatments resulting from abuser’s violence.

Police Report

Police reports filed against abuser for domestic violence.

Testimony from Witness

A testimony from a witness who can be a family member, neighbor a co-worker or a bystander, either in writing or in person at the hearing, describing the incidents witnessed. It could also be that you shared incident details with them when they occurred even if they were not physically present when the abuse happened.

Step 2: Fill the Court Forms

You can fill these online for free by visiting here

In order to apply for an Order of Protection, you need to fill and submit a specific set of official New York court forms. These have questions aimed at understanding your situation and the people involved.

Forms for an Order of Protection

Required Forms

Family Offense Petition (Form GF-17)
Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI):.
Information Sheet: contact information and details about the abuser
Temporary Order of Protection Application:

Optional/Additional Forms

Affidavit of Service: Required after filing. It proves the respondent was served with court documents.
Child Support or Custody Petitions: If your case involves shared children and you want these issues addressed.

Step 3: File the Court Forms with the Family Court

Submitting successfully is called filing, and the process involves the following

Formally submitting the case documents at the court with the office of the clerk. This can be done in person or online. Online filing for Order of Protection in New York is simplified by LegalAtoms.
The clerk reviews and verifies the correctness of forms and completeness of the required info
Clerk enters the case in the court database, stamps the documents and assigns a case number

County (Venue)
The proper venue for an Order of Protection case is the county where the abuse took place or where the restrained party lives. However, venue is a defensive motion and should be considered by the court only if the restrained party objects by filing a noticed motion for change of venue at or before the time of responding to the request.

Determine the County

In New York, one typically file at the Family Court at the county (including borough in New York City) of your residence or where the abuse occurred. For example, if you live in Manhattan, then the Family Court of New York County would be your venue. There can be many special cases and fine print but that is the most common case. Please consult a lawyer if your situation is uncommon e.g. the abuser is overseas or you are overseas and the abuser is in New York state.

Identify the methods of Filing

Method # 1: In Person by visiting the court house

Your court location would accept the forms to be submitted in person at the court hours. When you submit your case documents at the court, typically you take 3 copies.

The clerks reviews it, and if everything is ok, they formally enter it into the court system and put a stamp near the top of the documents. That acceptance is called filing.

The stamp may look something like this:


Method # 2: E-file online

This is the most efficient option if you have an e-mail address and some basic computer skills like registering an account, and uploading PDF files.

Some counties now have one or more online portals where you create an account for free, and then you can upload documents and hit submit.

You will be required to some online service fees.


Method # 3: Via another person

Some counties accept filing via a friend or legal courier. These companies or individuals charge a flat or hourly fee and file the documents at the court.

Step 4: Judge Sets Hearing, Grant/Deny Temporary a Order of Protection

A judge reviews the case offline and then you will be notified by the court about the outcomes which are:

Temporary Order of Protection Granted
Temporary Order of Protection Denied

In addition the Judge would typically set a hearing. If the case doesn’t have sufficient evidence it might be dismissed without even a hearing.

The Temporary Order of Protection (if issued) is valid until the hearing i.e. typically about 3 weeks. If the hearing is delayed for any reason, you need to check with the court to ensure the temporary order is renewed until the hearing to provide you with legal protection.

Step 5: Inform the other party formally also known as “You’ve been Served!”

You need to inform the other party as per New York laws, and this is done by Serve a set of Stamped Case Forms including Hearing Notice to them

Whenever one party initiates a restraining order it needs to inform or serve the other party formally by delivering the court documents. That step is called serving the respondent

Under the New York law there are multiple ways in which the other party can be served.

You cannot serve your papers yourself.

Option 1:  Ask the Sheriff (FREE)

A sheriff or marshal can serve the opposing party for you which is a big help. This service is offered for FREE. To ask the sheriff to serve your papers, you must have an address or location for the abuser. If the respondent is in jail, the sheriff can serve them. If the other side is in prison in New York, prison staff, not the sheriff, will serve your papers.


Option 2: Ask a friend, relative or any adult (FREE)

You ask someone you know to be your server

18 or over, and
not part of your case

Think about safety when choosing your server.

Option 3: Hire a courier for legal papers (Process Server)

You can also hire a courier called  professional process server. You can search on Yelp or Google to get a list of options near you.

You cannot hire regular couriers such as UPS, FedEx or US Postal Service unless in exceptional scenarios where the judge authorizes service by mail, but that’s a whole different topic altogether.

Step 6: Present Evidence in a Court Hearing

Attend a hearing: The court holds a hearing within a couple of weeks where the evidence is examined. If there is sufficient supporting evidence as determined by a Judge, a full restraining order is issued. At this point it becomes a crime for the abuser to break the conditions of the restraining order.

Step 7. Collect the final Order of Protection

After the hearing, a final order may be issued. You can take a paper copy of the order with you. The order is typically valid for two years.

Costs – How much does it cost to get an Order of Protection

In New York, there is no fee to file for an Order of Protection in Family Court, The process is free for petitioners seeking protection from domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or other forms of abuse.

There is a small fees for filing online.

How long does it take to get an Order of Protection after I file

In New York, Family Courts typically operate Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with petition filings beginning at 8:30 AM. To obtain a Temporary Order of Protection on the same day, it’s advisable to file early ideally in the morning hours, otherwise the judges will review and issue the temporary order decision the following business day. (Source : NYCOURTS)

A Temporary Order of Protection (TOP) is typically valid until the next scheduled court date. The judge can extend it as needed throughout the duration of the case. If the case is resolved, the court may issue a Final Order of Protection, which can last for up to five years, depending on the circumstances.

In New York State, the hearing for an Order of Protection is usually scheduled within a few days to a few weeks after filing, depending on the court’s availability and the urgency of the situation.

If you request an emergency Temporary Order of Protection (TOP), a judge may issue it the same day without the abuser (respondent) present.
A full hearing, where both parties can present evidence, is typically set within a few weeks.
If the respondent has been served but fails to appear, the judge may still issue a Final Order of Protection in their absence.

Is an Order of Protection helpful?

The purpose of an Order of Protection is to restrict the contact or proximity of one person (the respondent or alleged perpetrator) to another person (the petitioner or victim) in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the petitioner.

The specific terms of an Order of Protection order can vary depending on the circumstances of the case e.g. if the people live together then it might require one party to vacate the place.

Typically, an Order of Protection order may prohibit the respondent from

Approaching or contacting the petitioner including via text or social media
Staying away from the usual places petitioner is at such as home, work or school
Prohibit stalking, or surveillance of any kind
In situations where they lived together, provide custody or access to
- Children
- Pets
- Important documents
- Personal items such as clothes, medications, cell phones
- Cars
Extending the protections to others living with the petitioner

Research findings on benefits of Order of Protection

Here’s the top three findings from a study on domestic violence and restraining orders from the University of New Hampshire

Reduce Violence

Civil protective orders (such as a DVRO) are effective in reducing partner violence for many women. For half the women in the sample, a protective order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.

Cost Effective

They are a relatively low-cost solution, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of partner violence.

Urban Vs. Rural

The impact of civil protective orders on reducing violence and abuse did not differ for rural and urban women. In rural areas where resources and services for partner violence may be more limited, the restraining orders hold greater importance.

Risks of an Order of Protection

It is conceivable that following the submission of a Order of Protection, the abuser particularly in domestic violence situations may react with anger due to the perceived loss of control over you and your household. In certain instances, the abuser may portray themselves as the victim and shift blame onto the actual victim they were mistreating.

The response of your abuser after the filing of a protection order is unpredictable. While an Order of Protection can provide legal protection, one should not automatically assume that it guarantees safety. The initial weeks post-filing can be particularly precarious, contingent on your abuser’s reaction.

Despite the safeguards intended by an Order of Protection, abusers may retaliate through various means, such as:

Physical assault or violence
Harming or taking away children
Damaging jointly owned property
Disregarding the order and persisting with threats, possibly through intermediaries
Inflicting harm or causing harm to pets
Harassing your loved ones for information
Engaging in stalking behavior
Initiating a retaliatory restraining order against you
Spreading false information about you in court documents, online, or publicly

Following the submission of an Order of Protection , it’s important to continuously assess your situation and prepare for the potential escalation of your case into more violent territory.

What Restrictions can you ask the Judge For

Here are the typical restrictions places on the abuser via the Order of Protection.

Stay Away From You

Abuser would have to stay at least 100 yards away from you, your children and locations you request such as your work

Not To Contact You

Not to contact you via phone or text or mutual friends

Not Stalk You

Not stalk you or your loved ones, including your accounts on Facebook or other social media

Hand Over A Car

Get access to cars held by the abuser

Vacate The Shared Residence

The respondent can be asked to vacate the shared residence. You can also request help from police to kick them out.

Handover Passport, Cell Phone, Medications Etc.

You an ask for your personal items such as passport, medications, clothes. This would be applicable if you were living together up to now.

Don’t Post Intimate Images

Take down, delete, and do not distribute intimate images of a protected person

Restrict Abusive Litigation

This is to prevent the misuse of the legal system to harass, intimidate, or burden you.

Get Drugs, Mental Health And Sex Offender Treatment

You can request the abuser to seek treatment for alcoholism, drug use, domestic violence abuse

Resources for DV Victims

Here is a list of U.S. federal and New York state agencies that assist victims of domestic violence, along with links to their official websites:

New York State Agencies:

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV)
Leads the state’s efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence through policy development and public awareness.
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV)
Provides training and technical assistance to local domestic violence programs across New York State.
New York State Domestic Violence Program Directory
A comprehensive directory of organizations and programs offering shelter and services to victims of domestic violence in New York State.
New York State Courts – Domestic Violence Resources
Offers information on legal resources and assistance for domestic violence victims within the New York court system.
New York City Domestic Violence Support – Human Resources Administration (HRA)
Provides temporary housing, emergency shelter, and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and their children in New York City.

Federal Agencies:

Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) – U.S. Department of Justice
Administers grant programs and supports efforts to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Provides 24/7 confidential support to victims of domestic violence. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
Family Violence Prevention and Services Program – Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Funds domestic violence shelters and supports services for victims and their children.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Provides housing protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Additional Resources:

Safe Horizon
The nation’s leading victim assistance organization, offering support to survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, and other crimes.Safe Horizon
Sanctuary for Families
Provides comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence in New York City

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