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Included in this list are organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to victims and survivors of abuse, as well as to others who qualify. Even if the organization does not have a lawyer available to represent you in court, you may want to ask if there is a lawyer with whom you can consult to obtain advice. We list the organizations by the county where the office is located, but many offices serve multiple counties. We indicate the “counties served” whenever possible. You can click “View All” to look through the complete list of organizations.
Please note: WomensLaw does not have a relationship with or promote the organizations listed on these pages. Because we include thousands of resources, we cannot review them regularly or vouch for the information or services they provide. We share these resources to help all victims and survivors of abuse find essential direct services and support their needs and safety concerns.
Rensselaer
Unity House
2431 Sixth AvenueTroy, NY 12180
Hotline: (518) 272-2370 (collect calls accepted)
Phone: (518) 272-5917
Phone 2: (518) 274-2607
URL: https://www.unityhouseny.org/services/domestic-violence-services/
Unity House’s domestic violence program has a 24-hour domestic violence hotline; emergency shelter; provides 911 cell phones that are available for victims of domestic violence free of charge (for more information, call 518.272.5917); Individual counseling and group support is available to victims of domestic violence and their children; support groups for stalking; and more. The Unity House Law Project provides free legal consultation and representation to victims of domestic violence. The Law Project staff provides assistance in preparing legal documents, court accompaniment, safety planning and emotional support in addition to direct representation. Legal services include: assistance in obtaining orders of protection, custody, child support, divorce and other family court related matters.
Richmond
Catholic Charities Community Services
120 Anderson AveStaten Island, NY 10302
Hotline: Catholic Charities Help Line: 888-744-7900; with brief immigration questions, call the NY State New Americans Hotline: 1-800-566-7636 1-800-566-7636
URL: https://catholiccharitiesny.org/what-we-do/immigrants-and-refugees/
Catholic Charities Community Services provides legal consultations, representation, and assistance to documented and undocumented newcomers regarding most immigration matters, including citizenship applications, family petitions, cases involving domestic violence, and cases that are in immigration court. Services are provided in English, Spanish, French, Romanian, Polish, Albanian, Japanese, and Arabic. Clients are charged nominal fees. Generally, our consultation fee is $50 ($85.00 for consultations with an attorney.) Fees for other services vary. Fees may be reduced or waived according to need.
Legal Aid Society - Staten Island Neighborhood Office
60 Bay Street, 3rd floorStaten Island, NY 10301
Phone: (347) 422-5333
Phone 2: (718) 273-6677
URL: https://legalaidnyc.org/en/las/findus/locations/statenisland.aspx
Provides general legal services in the areas of housing, benefits and family law, including domestic violence to low-income Staten Island residents.
New York City Family Justice Center - Staten Island
126 Stuyvesant PlaceStaten Island, NY 10301
Phone: 718-697-4300
URL: https://www.nyc.gov/site/ocdv/programs/family-justice-centers.page
The FJCs provide many criminal justice, civil legal, and social services in one location to victims/survivors of domestic violence, trafficking and elder abuse. Services include safety planning and risk assessment, counseling for victims and their children, civil legal assistance on immigration and family court matters, meeting with a prosecutor, accessing shelter, applying for housing and financial assistance, filing police reports, language interpretation, and a wide-range of self-sufficiency services including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, financial literacy and counseling, computer skills classes, and many other services. Each FJC has a Children’s Room where children ages 3 and up can play in a safe and supervised space while their parents receive services. Appointments are not needed - you may just walk in to the FJC Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. To see a list of agencies that are housed at the FJC, see here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/ocdv/downloads/pdf/NYCFJC_List_Services.pdf
Staten Island Legal Services
36 Richmond Terrace, Ste. 205Staten Island, NY 10301
Hotline: Citywide Legal Assistance Hotline: 917-661-4500
Phone: (718) 233-6480
Fax: (718) 448-2264
URL: https://www.legalservicesnyc.org/?option=com_content&task=view&id=95&Itemid=136
Staten Island Legal Services provides free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals and groups on Staten Island in the following areas: Family Law; Domestic Violence; Foreclosure Prevention; Immigration; Financial Counseling; Special Projects.
Rockland
Center for Safety & Change
9 Johnsons LaneNew City, NY 10956
Hotline: (845) 634-3344 24-hour hotline
Phone: 845-634-3391
Fax: 845-634-3396
URL: https://www.centerforsafetyandchange.org/
Email: info@centersc.org
Provides the following services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault: 24/7 crisis hotline; Individual and group counseling; Support and empowerment groups; Advocacy and accompaniment; Safety planning; Legal services, including representation in court on the following cases: orders of protection, divorce, custody, child support, guardianship; Information and referral services; Community outreach and education; Children’s services and educational advocacy; Transportation; Assistance with New York State Office of Victim Services applications; and more. The address listed is the main, walk-in office. There are satellite offices in Spring Valley and Haverstraw.
Legal Aid Society of Rockland County, Inc.
2 Congers RoadNew City, NY 10956-0314
Phone: (914) 634-3627
Phone 2: (845) 634-3627 or (800) 454-3627
URL: https://legalaidrockland.org/
Email: info@legalaidrockland.org
The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County, Inc. provides legal advice and representation to victims of domestic abuse in Rockland County.
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley - Spring Valley office
7 Perlman DriveSpring Valley, NY 10977
Hotline: 1-877-574-8529 (1-877-LSHV-LAW)
Phone: (845) 476-3831
URL: https://lshv.org/
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley provides civil legal services to low-income people in all seven counties of the Hudson Valley including Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. This office serves Rockland County. Domestic violence services they provide include advocacy and representation for survivors including orders of protection, child/spousal support, child custody and visitation, and referrals for other issues related to safety and support.
Proyecto Faro (Project Lighthouse)
c/o Stony Point Center17 Cricketown Rd
Stony Point, NY 10980
Hotline: (845) 262-9586
Phone: (845) 293-2091
URL: https://proyectofarorockland.org
Email: info@proyectofarorockland.org
Proyecto Faro is an immigrant-led organizing effort geared to immigrants in Rockland County who feel insecure due to their immigration status. They host monthly legal clinics where you can learn more about your case and possible avenues of relief, and get help completing forms. They also have a network of pro bono and “low-bono” lawyers who may be able to take your immigration case.
