The following programs provide services to victims of domestic violence, including shelter, counseling, support groups, and legal assistance. All of the services are free and confidential, unless noted otherwise.
Below is a list of services within the Western Massachusetts/Pioneer Valley Community, focusing on the Amherst area. Several of the resources below, including Safe Passage, Center for Women & Community and NELCWIT, offer services and support for emotionally unhealthy or abusive relationships whether or not they are physically abusive.
SAFE PASSAGE: Hampshire County’s Domestic Violence Agency. Safe Passages offer support, shelter, counseling, and resources for survivors, children, and families affected by domestic violence. Located in Northampton.
http://www.safepass.org/
24-hour Crisis Hotline: (413) 586-5066 / Office: (413) 586-1125
Center for Women & Community (formerly EWC): Hampshire County’s Rape Crisis Center. The Center for Women & Community Rape Crisis Program also offers support and counseling for those affected by abusive relationships and domestic violence. We work closely with Safe Passage. Located in Amherst.
http://www.umass.edu/ewc/
24-hour Crisis/support line: (413) 545-0800
(TTY) 413-577-0940)
New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (N.E.L.C.W.I.T) Provides domestic violence and rape crisis services for Franklin County, including counseling, advocacy and referrals. Located in Greenfield. 24-hour Crisis Hotline: (413) 772-0806.
NELCWIT also offers a Native American Sexual Violence Prevention and Survivors Service. Call 413-772-0871 for more information.
Womanshelter/Companeras: Domestic violence crisis/support line and bilingual services in English/Spanish. Located in Holyoke and serves the greater Holyoke area. Amherst residents are welcome to call.
24-hour crisis/support line: 1-877-536-1628
Safelink: a Massachusetts Statewide Hotline multilingual, 24 hour service that has info on what shelters currently have space available. http://www.casamyrna.org/
1-877-785-2020
National Domestic Violence Hotline 24-hour hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
SAFEPLAN: SAFEPLAN advocates are trained to offer court-based advocacy, including helping victims of domestic violence plan for their safety and obtain 209A restraining orders (also called protective orders) through the courts. You can find a SAFEPLAN advocate at the Belchertown or Northampton Court House during court hours.
Victim/Witness Assistance: As part of the Northwestern District Attorney's Office, Victim/Witness Assistance provides information and advocacy for victims of crime involved in criminal court proceedings, including information on victim compensation and victim rights.
Main Office - Northampton: 413-586-5780.
Satellite Office - Eastern Hampshire District Court, Belchertown: 413-323-5275
http://northwesternda.org/victim-witness-assistance-unit
NOTE: Services are free but not confidential - advocates are employees of the district attorney's office.