For Your Safety…

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Victims of domestic violence too often feel as if they are all alone. One of the best paths for victims to get out of anabusive relationship is talking out a plan with a trained advocate. A trained advocate will walk through your particular circumstances, help you sort out what you can do, and help identify what you should not do. The advocate will talk to you about your specific concerns, like children or pets, as well as where to go and when. The advocate will be familiar with the local resources available to you. The resources tab lists some local resources for Montgomery County, Frederick County and Howard County.

If you have children, you should create a plan for them to be safe during the violence. If possible, use code words that the children will understand as an instruction to leave the house, go to their room,go to some other place that is safe, or to get away from the abuser. Teach the children how to call 911 safely. Teach them to do nothing unless it can be done safely. You must decide what you can safely tell the children. Also consider whether the child will relay the discussion or plan to the abuser.

Maryland has dedicated tremendous resources in making advocates available to people seeking to escape a domestically violent relationship.

Here are some:

House of Ruth Maryland
www.hruth.org
24 Hour Hotline: (410) 889-RUTH (7884)
Some of the services provided by the House of Ruth include:

  • Client Service Coordinators who providing safety planning, basic needs assistance, and resource referral; Individual and group counseling, Therapeutic and enrichment services for children of victims through a comprehensive Children’s Program, and Abuse Intervention
  • Emergency Shelter providing state licensed childcare and health clinic; six transitional apartments and supportive services
  • Marjorie Cook Domestic Violence Legal Clinic at the House of Ruth Maryland:
    • providing free legal advice and representation in securing Protective/Peace Orders; divorce and custody
      • Main Office: (410) 554-8463
  • Baltimore District Court Office: (410) 235-6370
  • Hyattsville Courthouse: (301) 358-3761
  • Upper Marlboro Courthouse Office: (240) 206-6440
  • Montgomery County Office: (240) 777-9077
  • Silver Spring Courthouse: (301) 830-8097

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault Legal Institute

https://mcasa.org/

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

  • Provides direct legal services for victims and survivors of sexual violence.
  • Family Justice Center

600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 500
Rockville, MD 20852

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 5:00pm

Telephone Number: 240-773-0444

  • Provides a wide range of services for survivors of domestic violence including career counseling, counseling services, assistance to work with agencies for food, shelter, clothing and other needs, pro bono legal representation, immigration legal services, and assistance with filing criminal charges against abusers
  • Abused Persons Program

MidCounty DHHS Building

1301 Piccard Drive

Rockville, MD 20850

 Admin/Information Number: 240-777-4210

Service/Intake – 240-777-4195

24 Hour Crisis Services – 240-777-4000
For Montgomery County residents, the Abused Person’s Program offers services such as emergency shelter, transitional housing, 24 hour telephone and walk in crisis counseling, case management, information and referral and other support services.

Fees are based on a sliding scale and no one is denied due to a lack of funds.

Victim Assistance & Sexual Assault Program Department of Health and Human Services

www.VASAP.org

24/7 Hotline: (240) 777-4357 (HELP)

Offices: (240) 777-1355

Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI)

www.mcasa.org

Telephone: 301-565-2277 or 877-496-SALI

Provides comprehensive legal services for sexual assault survivors.

Montgomery County District Courts:

Rockville District Court

27 Courthouse Square
Rockville, MD 20850
301.279.1500
Note: From 9am to 3pm Victim Assistance is available at this location.

Silver Spring District Court
8552 Second Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3405
301.563.8550

FREDERICK COUNTY

Heartly House

https://www.heartlyhouse.org/

24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 301-662-8800

Services include 24-Hour Hotline/Crisis Intervention, hospital accompaniment for sexual assault and domestic violence forensic exams at Frederick Health Hospital, emergency shelter, counseling, legal services and victim advocates, and an abuser intervention program

Frederick District Court

100 W Patrick Street

Frederick, MD 21701

HOWARD COUNTY

HopeWorks of Howard County
http://www.wearehopeworks.org/

9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 300
Columbia, MD 21046
Telephone: (410) 997-0304
Hotline: (410) 997-2272
Toll-free: (800) 752-0191

Services include a 24-hour helpline, residential services, counseling, advocacy, and legal assistance. All services are confidential and fees are based on income. No one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.

Grassroots Crisis Intervention

6700 Freetown Road
Columbia, Md 21044
Telephone: 410-531-6677
Hearing Impaired TDD : 410-531-6080

24-hour crisis intervention and supportive counseling hotline. Individuals may call for a variety of reasons including suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, loneliness or depression, and chemical dependency issues, among others

Provides walk-in and 24 hour phone counseling; short term emergency shelter, and referral service.

Howard District Court

3451 Court House Drive

Ellicott City, MD 21043