Crisis Care
Need Safety?
Maybe you've been kicked out of home for challenging your family's beliefs. Maybe you're escaping honor-based violence or forced marriage, or you're running from religiously-sanctioned abuse. Whatever your background, whatever your needs, we hope you find support in the following sections.
Help Organizations
Questioning faith or challenging a rigid belief system can get you hurt, persecuted, and threatened. If you're in immediate danger, look up domestic violence shelters in your area or reach out to the organizations below. Most are secular, some are religiously affiliated. All of them believe you deserve safety.
Are you feeling suicidal or looking for a therapist? See our Mental Health page. Are you a member of the LGBTQ+ community? See our LGBTQ+ page. You can also search Resources by Belief System.
Domestic Shelters ~ Many religions condone domestic violence. You don't need to submit anymore. Find safety now for you and your children.
National Domestic Violence Hotline​ ~ 24/7 phone and chat services to help you get to safety.
Call: 1-800-799-7233
Safe Place ~ Are you under 18 and don't know where to turn for help? Start with finding a free place to stay and counseling services.
Text "Safe" with your address, city, and state to 44357 (4HELP)
RAINN ~ The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is America's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Many religions both condone and cover up sexual violence. If you've been assaulted and you need help, call their hotline or chat.
Call 1-800-656-HOPE
AHA Foundation ~ Are you in danger of honor-based violence (HBV)? Whether your life is threatened for not believing in your family's religion or you're trying to escape a forced marriage, this nonprofit's free textline and resource directory will help you find safety. Know your rights.
Text 'FREE' to 741-741
Unchained At Last ~ Helping girls, women, and anyone else in the U.S. facing a forced marriage or child marriage, Unchained will help you plan your escape (including international escapes), find safe shelter, provide emergency financial assistance, and provide you with psychotherapy and career counseling - for free.
The Atheist Refugee Relief ~ Rana didn't believe in Allah. When she fled to Germany seeking safety from the dangers of apostasy, she realized the danger came with her—in the form of other refugees. If you're also a non-religious asylum-seeker, contact her organization for help with housing, integration, legal aid, and therapy.
Holding Out HELP* ~ If you've left a polygamous group like FLDS, this nonprofit will help you find housing, finish your education, and provide counseling and other assistance. *This is not a secular organization.
Call: 801-548-3492
Email: help@holdingouthelp.org
Childhelp ~ Are you under 18 and being abused, or do you know of a child who is being abused? Call Childhelp's national U.S. hotline for free 24/7 and get help.
Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Footsteps ~ If you're a current or former ultra-Orthodox Jew, NY-based Footsteps offers programs to help you through any stage of leaving your faith and community. Footsteps provides in-person peer support groups as well as referrals to mental health services. They also host special events and parties where you can hang out with others who understand your journey.
Call 212-253-0890, ext. 7
Email: info@footstepsorg.org
Karma Nirvana ~ This UK-based nonprofit offers help for those facing abuse, threats of disownment, and arranged marriages. Their Survivor Ambassador Programme gives you practical life skills to rebuild your life. Call their helpline if you need urgent assistance.
Call 0800 5999 247
The Aftermath Foundation ~ Devoted to addressing the immediate and long-term needs of those leaving Scientology and the Sea Organization, the Aftermath Foundation will help you find housing, gain employment or education, connect you with a therapist, and anything else you need to rebuild your life outside the church.
Los Angeles LGBT Center ~ Are you a homeless youth? Or a senior who needs affordable housing? The Center will assist you with everything from shelter to therapy to legal aid. See their Health Services and Social Services & Housing for help!
The Halo Project Charity ~ Based in the UK, Halo helps victims of forced marriage and those threatened with honor killings and FGM find safe housing, legal counsel, court-ordered protection, and welfare benefits. Call: 08081 788 424 or email info@haloproject.org.uk
You can find more help specific to your background in our Resources by Belief System.
We have tried to make finding help simple and straightforward. For this reason, the resources on this page are not an exhaustive list. Many organizations exist to help those who fleeing violence or spiritual abuse. If you'd like to be added to our resource network, please contact us!