Emergency services
Call 911 or your local emergency number for immediate danger, urgent medical help, or a situation that cannot wait.
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Private, immediate support
Safety & crisis resources.
Start with safety, privacy, and the right kind of support. This page is educational and cannot assess immediate danger or decide what happened.
Immediate danger
If danger is immediate
Call 911 or your local emergency number. If you cannot safely speak, consider whether text-to-911 or another local option is available in your area. Do not rely on this website, email, or a hotline to provide an emergency response.
Use a safer way to browse when needed
If someone may monitor your device or accounts, consider whether this is a safe time to visit, download, call, text, or email. Browser history, downloads, shared cloud accounts, location services, phone bills, and notifications can reveal activity. The Quick Exit button changes the current page, but it cannot erase a monitored device or network history. A trusted advocate can help you choose a safer method for your situation.
- Use a device and account that the person you fear cannot access, if possible.
- Turn off previews and notifications only when doing so will not draw attention.
- Ask an advocate before changing passwords, location sharing, or connected devices if those changes could escalate risk.
- Do not store a safety plan, evidence, or downloaded file where another person can safely use it against you.
Choose the support that fits
Different concerns call for different responders.
A crisis line can listen and help with next steps. An advocate can help with safety planning and local referrals. An attorney can explain legal options. A clinician can assess mental health, trauma, or treatment needs. None of these roles should be replaced by an online checklist.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text, or chat with 988 for free, confidential crisis support in the United States. A counselor will ask about your safety and help identify next steps.
Visit 988lifeline.orgNational Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use the online chat for confidential support, safety planning, and referrals.
Visit thehotline.orgChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Call or text 1-800-422-4453, or use live chat to talk through concerns about child abuse, neglect, or a child’s safety. Childhelp is not a replacement for 911.
Visit childhelphotline.orgRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), chat online, or text HOPE to 64673 for free, confidential support and local referrals.
Visit rainn.org/hotlineLove Is Respect
For teens, young adults, and loved ones: call 1-866-331-9474, text LOVEIS to 22522, or use online chat for relationship-abuse support.
Visit loveisrespect.orgA safety plan is specific to the situation.
There is no universal checklist. A useful plan considers what increases risk, what reduces risk, who can help, and what can be done without placing a child or adult in a more dangerous position.
People and places
Identify one trusted person, a safer place, transportation, and a simple check-in plan. Include children, medication, disability, language, cultural, pet, and financial needs when relevant.
Communication
Choose a safer channel and a code word only if it will not increase danger. Avoid asking a child to carry messages, keep adult secrets, choose sides, or gather evidence.
Documents and evidence
Secure copies of identification, orders, medical information, school contacts, and important records only when safe and lawful. Do not confront someone to obtain proof.
Professional questions
Write down the immediate question: Where can I go? How do I protect a child? What support is available? What does the order require? Ask the appropriate advocate, attorney, clinician, or emergency responder.
Free resource
Download a safety-planning checklist
A printable worksheet for thinking through safer next steps. The PDF is free without an email address; optional correspondence is separate and does not include your answers.
Use a safer device if someone else may monitor your browser, email, downloads, or account.
You do not have to solve the whole situation today.
Choose the smallest safe next step. If the situation is urgent, contact emergency services or a crisis resource above. If it is not urgent, a qualified local advocate, attorney, or clinician can help you think through the context without forcing a label.