The Safety Track
A five-layer path from unsafe to independent — built for survivors, free forever, at your pace. You decide every step. Nothing here requires your name.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, free, confidential) · Text START to 88788 · Chat at thehotline.org · TTY 1-800-787-3224
Our promise: everything on this page and in our tools works without your identity. In the words our AI tools use: “I will never ask for your Social Security number, full name, or exact address.” A first name or alias and your county are enough. Hope Burns Bright collects nothing, stores nothing, and tracks nothing on this page.
Five Layers, One Path
Each layer stands on its own. Start anywhere. Skip anything. Come back anytime — the path is yours.
Immediate Safety
Your safety comes first — everything else can wait. This layer helps you create a safety plan, find emergency housing, and preserve what matters.
- Create a personalized safety plan and go-bag
- Find local shelters and emergency housing options
- Set a code word with a trusted person that means "call 911"
- Preserve evidence only if it is safe to do so
Legal Protection
Protective orders, custody, divorce, and immigration relief — with free legal aid in most counties. You usually do not need a lawyer to file a protective order.
- Learn your state’s protective order process (usually free to file)
- Connect with free legal aid for custody and divorce questions
- Explore VAWA immigration relief if it applies to you
- Apply for crime victim compensation in your state
Housing Pipeline
A path from emergency shelter to a home of your own — emergency, transitional, then permanent housing, with survivor protections at every step.
- Move from emergency shelter to transitional housing programs
- Apply for Section 8 — survivors get priority in many areas
- Ask about Rapid Rehousing (short-term rental assistance)
- Know your VAWA housing rights — DV is never a legal reason to evict you
Financial Independence
Money in your own name. Benefits, job training, childcare, and a bank account the other person cannot see.
- Apply for TANF, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid in one sitting
- Open a bank account in your own name from a safe device
- Access free job training through your local American Job Center
- Apply for childcare assistance so work and school are possible
Healing & Rebuilding
Recovery is more than logistics. Free trauma counseling, support groups, services for your children, and a long-term plan that is yours alone.
- Access free trauma therapy (VOCA-funded in most states)
- Join a survivor support group — in person or online
- Connect children with counseling and advocacy services
- Rebuild credit and plan for education or career goals
The 90-Day Framework
A gentle structure, not a deadline. Every step forward counts — and only you decide what forward looks like.
Days 1–30
Safety
Secure the foundation
- Safety plan created and practiced
- Connected to a hotline or local advocate
- Safe housing secured
- Benefits applications started
Days 31–60
Stability
Build the structure
- Benefits active, counseling started
- Bank account opened in your own name
- Children settled in school
- Legal steps underway — if you choose them
Days 61–90
Self-Sufficiency
Rise
- Income secured or in the pipeline
- Permanent housing identified
- Long-term goals written down
- You set the pace from here
What this is: information and planning assistance, free forever. What this is not: legal, medical, mental-health, or financial advice, or case management. Always verify a resource by calling before relying on it. For everything safety and privacy — including what to do if you think your device is monitored — see the safety & privacy guide.
Ready for Your First Step?
The free Safety Navigator walks you through a personalized safety plan in about ten minutes — anonymously.