Your Rights as a survivor of Family Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, Harassment, or Terroristic Threat

It’s a criminal offense for any person, including a member of the family or former member of the family, to cause physical injury or harm to a victim or to engage in conduct constituting stalking, harassment, or terroristic threat. 

If you feel unsafe, getting support can help you understand your options and feel safer.  While ending an abusive relationship or seeking help, threats or violence can increase. Some warning signs of increased risk may include jealousy, controlling finances or your movements, isolating you from friends or family, verbal abuse, threats to harm or kill you, and physical abuse including strangulation. 

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 right away. 

You have Rights and Options

If you, your child or any other household member has been injured, or if you feel you are going to be in danger when the officer leaves, or at a later time, you have the right to ask your local law enforcement agency to file a criminal complaint against the person committing family violence. You can also apply for a court order to protect you. 

To learn more about how reports and complaints are filed, visit the Texas Family Violence Program resources page at hhs.texas.gov/fvp-resources. 

It’s your right to choose which of these options are best for you.

Protective Orders

A protective order is a legal document requiring someone to stay away from you and gives you legal protection. In some cases, it can even remove someone from your shared home. This option is available if you have experienced family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, abuse, stalking, harassment, or human trafficking.

In Texas, there are three different types of protective orders:

•    Magistrate’s Order of Emergency Protection  
•    Final Protective Order 
•    Temporary Ex Parte Protective Order 

To learn more about protective orders, visit the Texas Family Violence Program resources page at hhs.texas.gov/fvp-resources. 

Your local county or district attorney or Texas Advocacy Project can often help you get a protective order for free. To learn more, visit texaslawhelp.org/toolkit/i-need-protective-order.

Lease Termination

You may be able to legally end your lease without penalty. To do so, you will need to have at least one of the following documents. 

•    A temporary injunction, issued as part of divorce proceedings.
•    Any of the protective orders listed above. 
•    A document regarding family violence against the tenant or occupant from at least one of the following: 
            * A licensed health care services provider who examined you.
            * A licensed mental health services provider who examined or evaluated you.
            * An advocate at a family violence center who helped you.

To learn more, visit texaslawhelp.org/article/early-lease-termination-for-victims-of-family-violence. For more information and certification forms, visit tcfv.org/find-help/survivor-resources and click on the Lease Termination tab under Moving Forward.

If you need help with filing a report or criminal complaint, protective orders, lease termination, or anything else, call the Texas Advocacy Project for free and confidential assistance at 800-374-HOPE (4673) or visit texasadvocacyproject.org.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also has victim services counselors who are available to help you navigate the criminal justice process and access your rights as a crime victim. To locate the Victim Services Counselor in your area, go to https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/victim-employment-support-services-vess/regional-victim-services-counselors or call 512-424-2211.

You are not alone. There are resources and support to help you.

Local Resources 

24/7 Resources and Support  

These are confidential 24/7 hotlines that can help with safety planning, shelter, and support.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can connect you with an advocate who can provide safety plans, discuss options, and offer resources in your area. 

  • Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
  • TTY: 1-800-787-3224
  • Chat Online: thehotline.org
  • Text: "START" to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline-RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

If you have been sexually assaulted, consider contacting the RAINN Hotline to connect with a trained staff member from a local sexual assault service provider in your area. 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

Anyone can call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline to get connected to trained counselors at over 200 local crisis centers.

To learn more about your rights and resources, please visit the Texas Health and Human Services - Family Violence Program Resources webpage.