RESOURCES & INFORMATION
FOR SURVIVORS & VICTIMS OF
INTIMATE PARTNER & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Disclaimer: Motley Investigations does not operate, control, or is responsible for, or necessarily endorses, these websites (including, without limitation, their content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools they provide).
An innovative, collaborative approach to providing training, technical assistance, and resource development at the critical intersection of domestic and sexual violence, homelessness, and housing.
A comprehensive national resource committed to advancing victims’ rights and helping victims of crime rebuild their lives. It is dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime.
With the U.S. Department of Justice, this office provides federal leadership in administering justice for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as strengthening services to such survivors.
Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this office’s mission is to combat human trafficking by supporting and leading systems that prevent trafficking through public awareness, and protect victims through identification and assistance to become self-sufficient.
Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this program is the primary federal funding stream dedicated to supporting emergency shelters and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children.
A search tool for various services throughout the United States for all types of survivors of crime.
A list of direct services (including toll-free numbers and hotlines) and referrals through the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime.
A searchable tool with national and local resources that can be filtered by categories, services, location, and keywords.
A resource guide for those needing assistance with housing through HUD’s community partners.
In many cases, IPV & DV can lead to criminal records or bad credit for survivors through coerced crimes or financial abuse. Understanding what appears on your own background check can be a powerful tool for both proactive safety planning and navigating systemic barriers in housing and employment.
Correcting Errors
Survivors have the right to review background checks used for housing denials to ensure the information is accurate and not unfairly linked to the abuse.
Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), survivors cannot be denied federal housing assistance specifically because of criminal or credit history directly related to their abuse.
Knowing your record allows allows you to prepare explanations for housing providers, showing how your circumstances have changed since the abuse occurred.
Resources like the VAWnet tool for criminal records can help you understand how to navigate job applications and interviews if you have a record.
Background and Credit Checks can reveal accounts the abuser controlled, helping survivors reclaim their financial independence under laws like the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
In extreme cases, survivors may use background check findings to justify obtaining a new Social Security number for long-term safety related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Specialized systems like VISOR (Victim Information System in Oregon) allow survivors to track an offender's custody status and receive immediate alerts if they are released, transferred, or escape.
Background checks can help you identify potential red flags in new relationships, such as past misdemeanor charges or protective orders.