Independence House, Inc. is Cape Cod’s leading resource, counseling and advocacy center to address and prevent domestic and sexual violence.
All of Independence House services are free and confidential. Services are available in English, Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish. Additional interpretation/translation services are accessible.
Downloadable Resources
Independence House downloadable brochures
Cape Cod Elder Abuse Coalition Resource Guide
16 Signs your partner might be an abuser
10 Ways to Be Supportive to a Homicide Survivor
Ways to Cope in the Aftermath of Trauma
Signs of abuse
My Bill of Rights
Reasons People Don’t Leave
How can I be supportive
Healthy vs Un-healthy Relationships
Digital Safety Resources
Opt Out of Data Broker Resource
StopNCII.org (preventing image uploads)
iPhone: Turn Off AirDrop to Prevent CyberFlashing
Android: Turn off Nearby Share to Prevent CyberFlashing
Safety Planning Guide (Spanish)
Additional Domestic and Sexual Violence National Resources and Initiatives
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
National Center for Victims of Crime
WomensLaw.org
VINELink- Victim Information and Notification Everyday
National Network to End Domestic Violence
A Call for Change Helpline (confidential intimate partner abuse prevention helpline)
Additional Massachusetts State-Wide Resources
Maria Talks: about sex, birth control & things that matter
Jane Doe Inc.: The Massachusetts Coalition for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Safe Link Operated by Casa Myrna, 24/7 hotline with local resources and shelter availability
Massachusetts 2-1-1 Information, resources & help on where to go
Additional Sexual Assault Resources
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC)
National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCDSV)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Stop It Now (Child Sexual Abuse)
VAWNet, A Project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Get Justice Hotline (National Sexual Assault Legal Hotline)
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Helping Surivors of Sexual Abuse & Sexual Assault
Websites for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault
Resource Guide for Male Survivors of Abuse, Sexual Assault, and Trauma
Additional Hotlines
D.A.’s Crime Prevention and Control Unit (800)344-2722
Disabled Abuse Hotline (800)426-9009
Elder Abuse Hotline (800)922-2275
Office of Elder Affairs Hotline (800)882-2003 TTY:(800)872-0166
Parental Stress Hotline (800)632-8188
Parents Anonymous (800)882-1250
Alcohol and Drug Abuse 24 Hour Helpline (800)252-6465
Samaritans on Cape Cod (Suicide Prevention) (800)893-9900
Department of Social Services (800)352-0711
Resources for Teens
Please visit the Independence House Teen Website resource page for a list of Teen resources including:
• Domestic and Sexual Violence
• National and Regional Resources
• Awareness and Prevention
• Bullying
Interfaith and Cultural
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVAAC)
Saheli Boston, dedicated to empowering South Asian woman and famlies to lead safe and healthy lives
Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS)
Jewish Women International, innovative programs, advocacy and philanthropic initiatives to protect the fundamental rights of all girls and women to live in safe homes, thrive in healthy relationships, and realize the full potential of their personal strength.
Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence
FaithTrust Institute working together to end sexual & domestic violence
LatinoDV.org- Working with Latina Women Exposed to Domestic Violence
Resources for Parents and Educators
Stop Bullying Now Campaign
School Bus Bullying Prevention
Centers for Disease Control – Intimate Partner Violence
Centers for Disease Control – Sexual Violence
Anti-Defamation League tips for parents and teachers on bullying
Anti-bullying material for children w/ disabilities
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education network offers support for schools that want to implement anti-bullying programs.
What to do if your child is a bully?
Community Resources
Elder Services of Cape Cod
(508)394-4630 (Days).
(800)244-4630.
(800)922-2275 (After Hours).
64 Route 134, South Dennis MA.
Assists elderly suffering from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Cape Cod Hospital
(508)771-1800.
(800)778-4944.
TTY: (508)778-4944.
27 Park Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Provides 24-hour emergency medical treatment and intervention.
Legal Services for Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc.
(508)775-7020.
(800)742-4107.
(508)775-7020.
460 West Main Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Provides free legal services to low income residents of Massachusetts regarding family law, housing, and government benefits.
Cape Cod Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
(508)771-0132.
569 Main Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Promotes education/prevention of alcoholism and substance abuse through counseling, peer groups, elder outreach.
Alcoholics Anonymous
(508)775-7060.
(800)63-SOBER (637-6237).
396 Main Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Provides information and referral pertaining to substance abuse. Holds weekly meetings and peer support at various locations on the Cape.
Alanon-Alateen Information Service Center
(508)394-4555.
306 Main Street, West Dennis MA.
A self-help support group for persons and families dealing with alcoholics.
Narcotics Anonymous
(508)778-6166.
(508)487-2622.
Offers self-help support group for those with drug problems.
Consumer Assistance Council
(508)771-0700.
572 Main Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Assists with consumer complaints and resolution.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service
(800)282-6196.
397 Main Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Advises on budgeting and debt credit issues, and negotiates reduced payment arrangements with creditors. Assists homeowners and renters in addressing housing concerns.
MA Department of Transitional Assistance (Public Welfare)
(508)771-1201.
460 West Main Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Provides financial aid to qualified persons in need.
WE CAN (508)430-8111. 783 Route 28, Harwich Port, MA 02646. Empowering women to successfully navigate challenging life transitions.
Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
(508)778-5661.
P.O. Box 804, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Financially assists Cape residents with basic human needs. Residents are served through different offices depending on where on the Cape they reside.
Salvation Army
(508)775-0364.
100 North Street, Hyannis MA. 02601.
Provides emergency assistance in the form of food, clothing, and limited household furnishings.
United Way Info Line
(508)775-0464.
(800)462-8002.
Legal Assistance
Independence House, Inc. (800)439-6507
Barnstable Law Library (617)973-6666 x1
GBLTQ Domestic Violence Attorney Program (617)779-2130
Immigrant Victims Representation Project (IVRP), CSS(508)674-4681
Legal Services, South Coastal Counties (800)742-4107
Victim Rights Law Center (617)399-6720 x19
Victim Witness Program,
Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office
• Barnstable District (508)362-8103
• Falmouth District (508)457-1834
• Orleans District (508) 255-3782
WE CAN(508)430-8111
Suggested Books
By Dianne Schwartz
Getting Free: You can End Abuse and Take Back Your Life
By Ginny Nicarthy M.S.W.
When Love Goes Wrong: What to Do When You Can’t do Anything Right
By Ann Jones and Susan Schechter
Be Free Where You Are
By Thich Nhat Hanh
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women and Men Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
By Ellen Bass and Laura Davis
Keeping the Faith: Guidance for Christian Women Facing Abuse
By Marie Fortune
Support Services for Families with Children
A Baby Center 508-771-8157
Big Brothers Big Sisters 508-771-5150
Child and Family Services 508-778-1839
Child Care Network 888-530-2430
Child Witness to Violence Program (Independence House) 800-439-6507
Children’s Cove 888-863-1900
Department of Children & Families 508-760-0200
DOR Child Support Enforcement 508-332-2733
DTA DV Unit, TAFDC 508-862-6614
Family Continuity Program 866-219-3320
Family Support Line, CCNSC 508-771-4336
The Visitation Center 508-778-1980
Misc. Domestic and Sexual Violence Additional Resources
LGBTQ+ Resources
The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.
