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 County.

ACTS, Inc.

Location:
(serving Baltimore County & surrounding areas)
40 East Burke Avenue
Towson, MD  21286

Phone:  
24 Hour Hotline:  410-825-8773

Fax:
410-583-7416

Services: 

• Transitional housing program:  This program differs from emergency housing programs.  The intake process consists of a series of interviews.  If accepted into the program, a survivor can stay for up to 24 months.
• Counseling

Limitations:

• Housing may not be provided to survivors who have current substance abuse problems.

Family and Children's Services

Location:
3104 Lord Baltimore Dr., Suite 206 (formally Timanus La.)
Baltimore, MD  21244

Phone:
24 Hour Hotline:  410-828-6390
Phone:  410-281-1334

Fax:
410-298-4326

Web: www.fcsmd.org

Services: 

• Shelter
• Court room advocates
• Counseling:  Survivors (individual and group) and children.
• Batterer's Program
• Services are provided based on a sliding scale
• Some services are provided for free.

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

Phone:  
Hotline (Tues., Wed., Fri. 8:30 - 5:30, Mon. and Thurs. 8:30-8:30 ): 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 
• Kosher faith house

Limitations:

• Limited to Jewish victims or victims whose batterer is Jewish

Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County

Location:
Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County (East)
P.O. Box 3909
Baltimore, MD  21222

Phone:  
24 Hour Hotline:  410-828-6390
Phone:  410-285-4357 (Administration)
Shelter:  410-285-7496

Fax:
410-285-4361

Services: 

• Counseling:  Individual, couple, family, and survivor support program
• Shelter
• Batterer's Program
• All services are provided based on a sliding scale
• Victim Advocacy: Home visits with County Police Officers to advise Victims of their options
• Court Advocacy: Accompaniment to relationship violence and sexual violence court proceedings
• Community Education: Speakers' Bureau available for community and professional education.

Limitations:

• No legal services

Turnaround, Inc.

Location:
Turnaround, Inc (Formerly Second Step)
330 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD  21201

Phone:  
24 Hour Hotline:  410-828-6390
Phone:  410-837-7000 (Administration)

Web:  www.turnaroundinc.org 

Services: 

• Counseling:  Individual and group
• Child art therapy
• Batterer's Program
• Emergency room companions

Limitations:

• Shelter is only for survivors of domestic violence

Women's Law Center Office for Domestic Violence Assistance POARP (Protection Order and Representation Project)

Location:
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
401 Bosley Ave.   
Room 101
Towson, MD 21204

Phone:  
410-887-3162
Hours of Operation: 8:30am to 4:30 pm

Fax: 410-823-4362

Services: 

• Protective Order and Order Representation

House of Ruth

Last Update (no legal content)  6/13/03 (MLAN/CK/AC)

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.