Support Resources
Sometimes people come to mediation with questions.
Sometimes they come carrying stress, fear, or uncertainty.
This page is here to offer general information and support resources—especially in moments when mediation may not be the right first step.
The following general support resources are shared for anyone who may need support beyond the scope of mediation or an educational session. These resources are not monitored in real time.
If You’re in Immediate Danger
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If calling isn’t safe, consider texting a trusted person, leaving the area if you can do so safely, or using one of the confidential support resources below.
Florida Abuse Reporting (24/7)
Florida Abuse Hotline – Department of Children & Families
Website: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline
Call: 1-800-962-2873
(To report known or suspected child abuse, neglect, abandonment, or vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation)
Local Resources by County
Palm Beach County
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)
- 24-Hour Crisis Hotline:
- 1-800-355-8547
- Website: https://www.avdaonline.org
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County – Domestic Violence Project
- Phone: (561) 655-8944 ext. 238
- Website: https://legalaidpbc.org/domestic-violence
Palm Beach County Victim Services
- 24/7 Helpline: (561) 833-7273 or 1-866-891-7273
- Website: https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/victimservices
Broward County
Women In Distress of Broward County
- 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (954) 761-1133 (TTY 711)
- Website: https://widbroward.org
Nancy J. Cotterman Center (Sexual Assault Services)
- 24-Hour Helpline: (954) 761-RAPE (7273)
- Website: https://www.broward.org/NancyJCottermanCenter
Legal Aid Service of Broward County
- Phone: (954) 765-8950
- Website: https://www.browardlegalaid.org
Miami-Dade County
The Lodge (Victim Response, Inc.) – Domestic Violence Support
- 24/7 Hotline: (305) 693-1170
- Website: https://www.thelodgemiami.org
Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center (Jackson Health)
- 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline: (305) 585-RAPE (7273)
- Website: https://jacksonhealth.org/services/rape-treatment
Dade Legal Aid – Domestic Violence & Family Law Assistance
- Phone: (305) 579-5733
- Website: https://www.dadelegalaid.org
National Resources
(All hotline services are confidential and available 24/7.)
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: START to 88788
Confidential, 24/7 support, including chat options and safety planning
Florida Domestic Violence Hotline (Statewide)
Call: 1-800-500-1119
Website: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/domestic-violence
Connects you to certified local domestic violence centers across Florida
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV)
1-800-500-1119
Statewide directory of shelters, advocacy programs, and survivor resources
Sexual Assault
RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Online chat: https://www.rainn.org
Mental Health Crisis Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
Website: https://988lifeline.org
Free, confidential support, 24/7
LGBTQ+ Support
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678678
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults
When Mediation May Not Be the Right Fit
Mediation is not appropriate when there is fear, intimidation, coercion, threats, or abuse.
If any of that resonates with you, support and safety come first.
Mediation may not be appropriate if there is:
- Fear of retaliation or harm
- Threats, stalking, or controlling behavior
- Domestic violence or ongoing safety concerns
- A power imbalance that can’t be safely managed
Getting support does not mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you’re prioritizing safety.
Parenting & Family Stress Support
High-conflict situations can affect everyone in a family.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed as a parent or caregiver, support resources can help with:
- Emotional support during transitions.
- Stress management
- Co-parent communication basics
Educational Videos & Educational Resources
The links below are trusted educational resources we share to help deepen your understanding of abuse dynamics, risk assessment, and trauma-informed responses. These are for general information and support — not legal advice.
A Child of Divorce – Written by Monica Epperson
Education
Cycle of Violence (DomesticViolence.org)
Understanding patterns that can repeat over time
An overview of the “cycle of violence” framework, often used to explain how abusive dynamics can escalate and why patterns can feel confusing or hard to interrupt.
Short-form education on abuse dynamics and safety topics
A media-based education site that shares videos and learning materials related to relationship abuse, coercive control, and awareness-building.
A structured approach used in risk/threat assessment settings
Information about the MOSAIC framework, which is used in some professional contexts to organize risk factors and think more clearly about potential danger and escalation.
Children’s exposure to violence: principles and response guidance
A PDF resource focused on the impact of violence exposure on children and practical, system-level approaches for safer, more coordinated responses.
Shelter
DomesticShelters.org — Find Local Shelter & Programs
A free, searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters across the United States and Canada, along with educational articles and tools to help people explore options for safety, support, and healing. You can search by location to find nearby services that may include emergency shelter, advocacy, and resources tailored to your needs.
Videos
Books
Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft
Not to People Like Us: Hidden Abuse in Upscale Marriages by Susan Weitzman
Assessments
Danger Assessment — Intimate Partner Violence Risk Tool
What it is: A structured assessment originally developed by experts to help people thinking about their safety understand risk factors linked with lethal or near-lethal intimate partner violence. The instrument includes questions about patterns of abuse and other indicators that research has associated with higher danger. It is used by trained professionals in advocacy, health, and safety planning contexts to help people reflect on risk and consider next steps.
Important note: This is an educational tool — it is not a diagnostic test or safety plan by itself. Interpreting results is best done with a trained professional or advocate, and safer decision-making always relies on support from trusted local services
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Quiz
What it is: A brief, self-guided set of questions that tallies certain types of early life experiences. An ACE score can highlight patterns linked with stress and health outcomes later in life—but it’s not a diagnosis or a complete picture of someone’s life. Higher scores are associated with greater risk for some long-term health concerns, and resilience and supportive relationships also play major roles.
Purpose: Helps people learn more about one lens for understanding how childhood experiences may relate to later outcomes.
SHARP (Stalking & Harassment Assessment & Risk Profile)
What it is: A free, web-based tool that asks a series of questions about a stalking or harassment situation to help organize information and highlight risk factors associated with harm or escalation. It produces a narrative and risk profile that can help people think through context and concerns.
Note: It’s informational and not a safety plan; discussing results with a trained advocate or professional is recommended if you’re using it for safety considerations.
Important Boundaries & Disclaimers
These are third-party resources. Listing them here does not imply endorsement, and content may change over time.
These resources are provided for information and support only. Sharing resources does not imply a determination about safety, legal rights, or mediation suitability. This page is educational and not a substitute for legal advice, counseling, or emergency services.
If you’re unsure whether mediation is appropriate for your situation, you are encouraged to seek support and information before making any decisions.
