If you have been the victim of intimate-partner abuse or domestic violence, you might not know where to turn. Fortunately, Minnesota offers numerous state-wide and local resources to assist you during this difficult time.
1. Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women. With more than 80 chapters across the state, the MCBW has promoted women’s safety for nearly four decades. The Coalition emphasizes the need to help women with all aspects of abuse – physical, emotional, financial and sexual – through education and advocating for social change.
2. Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project. BWLAP provides legal resources across the state for women and children as well as those who advocate for them. In addition, the agency offers help with immigration, stalking, housing assistance, orders of protection, child custody and harassment restraining orders.
3. Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline. As a statewide network for domestic violence, the organization refers callers to the closest agency or service. Before Day One, victims had to make as many as 15 phone calls to get proper assistance. Now they can find help from “day one.” The group helps all victims without respect to gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or class.
4. Domestic Abuse Project. Serving the state since 1979, DAP works to break the cycle of domestic violence in the Twin Cities. Services include crisis intervention, helping victims develop safety plans, finding shelter and filing orders of protection. The program also offers counseling for victims via professional therapists.
5. Tubman Family Alliance. In addition to their other services in the Twin Cities, the Tubman program assists all victims of domestic violence. It helps with shelter, legal advocacy, community information and public education.
6. Community Services for the Deaf of Minnesota, Deaf Domestic Violence Program. CSD of Minnesota targets the deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind people across the state, offering resources and education. Specific services include restraining orders, safety plans, referrals, education and legal advocacy. The group advocates for deaf victims of domestic violence, empowers clients and prevents revictimization that might occur due to cultural ignorance.
7. OutFront Minnesota. OutFront Minnesota provides support to victims of same-sex partner abuse. This population generally suffers from domestic violence at a similar rate as the rest of society. The organization provides various services, including counseling, referrals to shelters, protective orders, safety plans.