Maryland has a wide range of agencies that will provide help for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Most provide free counseling. Some offer shelter and/or legal representation. Most services are free. Some are offered on a sliding scale. Some agencies also offer programs to help batterers. Some agencies serve the entire state and they will be listed as well.  Below is information on services available in Baltimore City.

Vinelink is a free public service provided by the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention that allows victims, law enforcement, etc., to register to recieve updates on the case status of an offender.

House of Ruth 

Location:
(Baltimore City)
Victim Advocate Office and Protective Order Advocacy Representation Project (POARP)
501 E. Fayette Street Room #105
Baltimore, MD  21202

Phone:  410-554-8463

Fax:  410-385-8974

Hotline:  410-889-7884

Services: 

• POARP is a joint project with the Women's Law Center.
• Shelter for victims of domestic violence
• Abuser intervention
• Counseling for victims
• Legal clinic provides legal assistance to obtain Protective Orders and Peace Orders

Women's Law Center Office for Domestic Violence Assistance

Location:
(Baltimore City POARP)
Medical Services Office, Room 100
Circuit Court for Baltimore City (East)
111 N. Calvert St. 
Baltimore, MD 21202

Phone:  410-783-0377
Hours of Operation:  9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Services: 

• Protective Order Representation

Limitations:

• NOT a walk-in service
• Survivors petition for an ex parte order and if the order is granted they are referred to this service.

Additional resource:
Multi-Ethnic Domestic Violence Project (MEDOVI)

Phone: 410-534-8800

Services:

• Information and referrals for multi-ethnic victims of domestic violence.

CHANA (Counseling Helpline and Aid Network for Abused Women)

Location:
The Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore
101 W. Mt. Royal Avenue
Baltimore, MD  21202

Hotline: (Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:30 pm) 410-234-0023
Administration:  410-234-0030

Services: 

• Group and Individual Counseling:  no fee

• Legal Services:  some services are free, others are based on a sliding scale 

• Education and Community Outreach 

Limitations:

• Limited to Jewish victims or victims whose batterer is Jewish

Family and Children's Services

Location:
4623 Falls Road
Baltimore, MD 21209

Phone:  410-366-8145

Fax:  410-285-4361

Services: 

• CATS (Child Abuse Treatment Services):  For children ages 5-18 who have been physically or sexually abused
• General counseling and specialized programs for all ages, including: battered spouses and victims of sexual abuse
• Counseling:  Individual, couple, family, and survivor support program

Limitations:

• No legal services

Turnaround, Inc.

Location:
Turnaround, Inc (Formerly Second Step)
401 Washington Avenue Suite 300
Towson, MD 21204

Phone:  
24 Hour Hotline:  410-828-6390
Phone:  410-377-8111 (Administration)
Fax: 410-377-6806

Web:  www.turnaroundinc.org

Services: 

• A lawyer comes to the office once a week
• Counseling:  Individual and group
• Child art therapy
• Batterer's Program
• Emergency room companions
• Community education

Limitations:

• Shelter is only for survivors of domestic violence

Last Update (no legal content)  8/18/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)

Source: Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN). This directory was updated in 2003 by Rita Ortiz, House of Ruth intern and Celeste Knight, Legal Aid Bureau.  Updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).