Safety Alert

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Break the SILENCE.
Break the CYCLE.

You deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard. Whether you’re worried about your relationship or helping someone else, support starts here.

You are not alone. Help is available right now.

CALL OR TEXT 229-331-0315

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Talk to someone who understands. Our advocates are here to listen, support, and help you explore your options. No pressure, no judgment.

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Advocate

Send a message to connect with someone who can help.

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Make a
Safety Plan

Create a personalized plan to help keep you safe—at home, work, or on the go.

Start Your Plan

Find
Shelter Now

Call our statewide hotline at 1-800-33-HAVEN (1.800.334.2836) for safe housing.

Call Now

Teen
Dating Help

For young people experiencing abuse or questions about relationships, call 866.311.9474.

Get Help

Deaf &
Hard of
Hearing Help

Video phone support for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Call 855.812.1001.

Connect via Video

Local
Resources

Vine

Find Help Georgia

United Way SWGA 211

Middle Flint Health & Wellness

Understanding Abuse

What Is Abuse?

Abuse isn’t always obvious. It happens when someone in a relationship uses power and control to hurt, manipulate, or isolate another person. This can be a current or former partner, and it can look very different from what people expect.

Abuse can take many forms….

Hitting, punching, pushing, slapping, choking, strangulation

monitoring your phone, tracking your location, demanding passwords

cutting you off from friends, family, or support

abusive partner makes all the “rules” of the home, “master of the castle” attitude/demeanor, abuser defines gender roles, abuser makes all the “big” decisions in the household

name-calling, humiliation, manipulation

controlling money or preventing you from working

breaking things, using fear, showing weapons

Courtesy of the the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project in Duluth, MN

gaslighting, mind games, making you question reality

forcing or pressuring you to do things you don’t want to do

threatening to harm or take away children, threats to report to DFCS, using children to pass along hurtful messages/allegations, using the child custody/legal system or school/community functions to stalk and harass

Signs & Red Flags

In Yourself

  • You feel like you’re “walking on eggshells”
  • You’re afraid to disagree or speak up
  • You feel pressured to prove your love or loyalty
  • Your partner constantly checks up on you
  • You feel isolated from friends or family
  • You question your own thoughts or memory

In Someone Else

  • They’ve become quieter or withdrawn
  • Their partner puts them down (even as “jokes”)
  • They constantly check in with their partner
  • They’ve lost interest in things they used to love
  • Their partner tries to control who they spend time with

Not Sure? Take the Quiz.

Think you might be seeing warning signs? Take our quick relationship quiz to learn more about what’s healthy, and what’s not.

Or Speak With An Advocate

How to Help Someone

How to Help a Friend

If someone trusts you enough to open up, that matters. You don’t have to have all the answers, just showing up can make a huge difference.

What to Say (and Do)

  • Listen first. Let them talk. Don’t interrupt, pressure or rush them.
  • Believe them. Even if they seem unsure, what they’re feeling is real.
  • Take it seriously. Abuse is never “just drama.”
  • Remind them it’s not their fault. Ever.
  • Be supportive, not judgmental. They get to make their own decisions.
  • Be patient. Avoid giving ultimatums; leaving can be the hardest and most dangerous time.
  • Build them up. Remind them they are strong, worthy, and not alone. Don’t shame them for staying.
  • Keep it private. Sharing their story could put them at risk.
  • Stay connected. Check in and remind them you care.
  • Help them find support. Offer to connect them with trusted adults or advocates.

Tip: You can create a code word or phrase so they can quietly let you know if they need help.

What NOT to Say

  • “Why don’t you just leave?”
  • “This is your fault.”
  • “It’s not that bad.”
  • “You need to do this…”

Important: Never confront the abusive partner yourself. This can make things more dangerous.

How to support safely

  • Talk in private. Make sure it’s a safe space to open up.
  • Let them lead. Ask how they feel and what they need.
  • Choose your words carefully. Focus on care, not control.
  • Encourage small steps. Even learning about abuse is progress.
  • Help them stay connected. Isolation makes things worse.
  • Know their safety plan (if they have one).
  • Encourage trusted support. A counselor, teacher, advocate, or adult can help.

Stay Safe

What Is a Safety Plan?

A safety plan is a personal plan to help you stay safe, whether you’re in a relationship, thinking about leaving, or have already left. It’s about thinking ahead so you’re not figuring things out in a crisis.

Safety Planning Basics

A safety plan can help you think through:

  • How to leave quickly if needed
  • Where you can go
  • Who you can call for help
  • How to stay safe at home, school, or work
  • How to protect your kids, pets, and belongings
  • What to do if the situation escalates
Logo icon of a broken heart

Create Your Safety Plan Now

Get Started

Digital Safety

Technology can be helpful, but it can also be used to track or monitor you.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Your phone, car, or computer could be monitored
  • If something feels off, trust your instincts
  • Consider using a safe device (library, school, trusted friend)
  • Create a new email account (not connected to your identity)
  • Change passwords and PINs regularly
  • Turn off location sharing on apps (Snapchat, Instagram, etc.)
  • Avoid making safety plans on shared devices
  • Be careful opening links or attachments

Extra Safety Steps

  • Search your name online to see what info is public
  • Document harassment (screenshots, logs, saved messages)
  • Use a code word with trusted people
  • If you suspect tracking (phone or car), get it checked
  • Ask agencies to keep your information confidential
  • Consider using a P.O. Box instead of your home address
Clearing Your Browser History

If you’re using a shared or monitored device, you may want to clear your history. In Chrome:

  1. Click the three dots (top right)
  2. Select Delete browsing data
  3. Choose a time range
  4. Click Delete data

If you use Safari (desktop or mobile), Firefox, or another browser, check its support site for instructions.

Note: This doesn’t always guarantee safety. If possible, use a device your partner cannot access.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Whether you’re helping a friend or figuring things out yourself, support is here. Get help now or speak with an Advocate.

Helpful Links

Pim Eyes
Reverse
Image Search

Find where your images may be appearing online using simple search tools.

Search Your Image

Remove Info
from Google

Request removal of personal information from Google Search results with PII Opt Out.

Start Removal Request

Remove
Shared Images

Learn step-by-step how to request the removal of images shared without your consent.

View Removal Guide

Take
It Down

If you were under 18, use this tool to help remove explicit images or videos from the internet.

Get Started

Stop NCII

Prevent intimate images from being shared online using secure, anonymous technology.

Protect Your Images

Create a
Takedown
Letter

Get guided help writing a request to remove content shared without your consent.

Create Your Letter

Know Your State Laws

Tip: Laws around image-based abuse vary by state. Learning your rights can help you take action.

Check Your State

Safety Planning Tool

Create Your Safety Plan: Build a personalized plan for your safety, before, during, or after leaving a relationship. This interactive, step-by-step planning tool can email your customized plan or you can download it as a PDF.

Start Your Plan

Resources

Legal
Information

Learn about your rights, online safety, and steps you can take to protect yourself.

View Legal Resources

Temporary Protective
Orders

Learn about family violence protective orders and how they can help keep you safe.

Learn How to File

Self-Help
for Survivors

Access a step-by-step guide to navigating legal options and next steps.

Open the Guide

Victim Compensation

Find out if you qualify for financial assistance related to crime-related expenses.

Check Eligibility

Family Violence Protective Orders

A Temporary Protective Order (TPO) can help protect you from someone who is hurting or threatening you.

In Georgia, this can include:

  • Any violent or threatening behavior
  • Hitting, pushing, or physical harm
  • Threats or intimidation
  • Stalking or harassment
  • Property damage

  • Temporary (Ex Parte): Fast protection, sometimes granted the same day without the other person present
  • Final Order: Issued after a hearing, can last up to 1 year (or longer in some cases)

It can:

  • Require financial support
  • Order the person to stay away from you
  • Stop contact (calls, texts, social media)
  • Remove them from your home
  • Give you temporary custody of children
  • Protect pets

  • Talk to an advocate
  • Fill out paperwork at court
  • A judge reviews your request
  • A hearing is scheduled (within ~30 days)
  • A final decision is made

You don’t have to do this alone, advocates can walk you through every step.

  • Dating Violence Protective Orders – For people in a dating relationship (current or recent)
  • Stalking Protective Orders – For someone who is following, tracking, or harassing you—even if you’re not in a relationship

You have the right to:

  • Be treated with dignity and respect
  • Be informed about court dates and case updates
  • Be heard in court
  • Receive protection and support
  • Request compensation for certain expenses

FAQs

It’s free. Advocates can help you through the process.

  • Petitioner: the person asking for protection
  • Respondent: the person the order is against

Not right away. They are only notified after the order is served.

No, it is would put them in violation of the order and could negatively affect your case.

Yes. You can choose to dismiss it at any time.

They can be arrested or charged with a crime.

Sometimes, if the court allows it with safety conditions.

Yes, there is usually a hearing where both sides can speak.

Not required, but helpful. SOWEGA provides free legal support for TPO cases.

We serve Sumter, Lee, Schley, Macon, Stewart, and Webster counties.

No, but they can connect you to safe shelter and emergency housing.

  • Photo ID
  • Any evidence (photos, messages, reports)

In Georgia, a “barring notice” is a criminal trespass warning to notify an individual to stay off the premises; returning after receiving such notice makes the person liable for criminal trespass.

Both you and the other party will receive a copy of the order. If the respondent violates the order and contacts you, they will be charged with Aggravated Stalking or Violation of a Court Order. You should keep a copy of you order on you at all times, just in case you need it to show to law enforcement or your employer.