Choosing a domestic violence support group can be an important step for victims who need help and healing. Contacting local organizations who work with women and children, and sometimes men, who are experiencing abuse or have fled abusive relationships can be a first step. These organizations often appear in the front pages of phone books and in the business pages under "domestic abuse help" or are part of city, county or state directories online. Many agencies also have websites listing both emergency and non-emergency counseling and referral information, as well as schedules and times for group meetings. Other websites might provide an online domestic violence support group through forums and chats rather than in person.
Most victims of domestic violence experience isolation by being pulled away from family and friends while with an abusive partner, and visiting a domestic violence support group helps cement the reality that others have experienced the same. Often, though, getting help is a difficult first step if you are still in a relationship with an abuser. If in immediate danger, calling the emergency number in your area is the best option, but if considering leaving a partner, finding an agency and group can help with planning, precautions, and moral support. Contacting national organizations in the United States, such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence or the National Domestic Violence Hotline, is helpful if you cannot find a local agency; the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women publishes a listing of state agencies for further help. National agencies are also a source for information on batterers programs if an abusive partner is willing to get help.
When choosing a domestic violence support group, it can be helpful to talk with a counselor or agency representative one-on-one first to get an idea of what to expect. Some groups may have several people attending while others can have dozens of individuals. Many group meetings are open so women can drop in, while others require information from attendees ahead of time. A number of groups are held at shelters or transitional housing sites and are just for women and children who are residents of a program, but many of these have community domestic violence support groups weekly. Childcare is sometimes provided, which may be a consideration for choosing a group.
For many victims of domestic abuse, confidentiality and empathy are extremely important. Abusers often show increased levels of violence when their partners take steps to get help or to leave the relationship. Support groups generally offer a safe haven for sharing stories, fears, and even plans of escape, and ensuring confidentiality among members of the group helps establish trust. Sometimes just finding a domestic violence support group where victims can listen to stories like their own with individuals who understand brings hope.