October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Kingdom Builders Global Women’s Ministry is shining the light on the need for greater awareness, support, and research.
Immediate Safety and Crisis Contacts
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233; TTY 800-787-3224; text START to 88788.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for mental health crisis support.
- Hope’s Door New Beginning Center 24-hour hotline: 972-276-0057.
- Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation 24/7 hotline: 972-880-4192; text 972-880-4192.
- The Family Place 24-hour crisis hotline: 214-941-1991.
- Texas Advocacy Project legal help: 800-374-4673.
Plano and Collin County Shelter and Support Options
| Organization | Support Offered | Contact |
| Hope’s Door New Beginning Center | Emergency shelter, counseling, legal support, advocacy, case management, and services for adults and children affected by domestic abuse, dating abuse, and family violence | 24-hour hotline: 972-276-0057; main office: 972-422-2911 |
| Emily’s Place | Long-term care for women and children fleeing domestic violence, including transitional housing, trauma-informed counseling, case management, transportation, childcare, advocacy, and workforce education. | 972-424-7775 |
| Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation | Emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, supervised visitation, children’s programs, and transportation to shelter when available. | 24-hour hotline: 214-941-1991 |
| The Family Place | Emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, supervised visitation, children’s programs, and transportation to shelter when available. | 24-hour hotline: 214-941-1991 |
| Collin County Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Program | Safety planning, crisis intervention, counseling and community referrals, court accompaniment, crime victim compensation help, and protective-order assistance. | 972-547-5100 |
Community Support Beyond Shelter
- Counseling and emotional support: Domestic violence programs often provide trauma-informed individual or group counseling for survivors and children.
- Legal advocacy: Advocates may help with protective orders, custody concerns, divorce referrals, safety planning for court, and free or low-cost legal services.
- Safety planning: Hotline advocates can help create a plan for safer communication, transportation, documents, finances, pets, children, and emergency exits.
- Financial and housing support: Some programs offer transitional housing, rental support, employment readiness, and referrals to community assistance programs.
- Support for children: Local programs may provide counseling, school coordination, advocacy, and resources for children exposed to abuse.
Safety Planning for Psychological Abuse
- Use a safe phone or computer if you think your devices are monitored.
- Tell one trusted person what is happening and agree on a code word or phrase for help.
- Keep copies of important documents, medications, keys, cash, and essential items somewhere safe if possible.
- Document abusive incidents in a secure place the abusive person cannot access.
- Contact a hotline before leaving if possible, because leaving can increase danger and advocates can help plan the safest timing.
- If children, pets, immigration concerns, disabilities, or financial dependence are involved, ask an advocate for a personalized plan.
Important Reminder
You deserve support, safety, and respect. Psychological abuse is real, and reaching out does not mean you have to make a decision immediately. A trained advocate can help you understand your options, make a plan, and move at the pace that is safest for you.