October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but families in Savannah and across Coastal Georgia need reliable information and support throughout the year. The Savannah Herald has launched a new Domestic Violence Resources and Safety Guide to help residents find assistance, recognize warning signs and learn about available safety tools.
- Contact SAFE Shelter's 24-hour crisis line 912-629-8888 for emergency shelter, safety planning and advocacy; call 911 if in immediate danger.
- Reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788; you do not need to wait to speak with an advocate.
- Recognize abuse beyond physical violence: threats, financial control, stalking, sexual coercion and digital monitoring using shared accounts or devices.
- Use public tools like re:SearchGA, the Georgia Sex Offender Registry and the Georgia Department of Corrections cautiously; searches have limits and do not prove safety.
Where to find domestic violence help in Savannah
SAFE Shelter is a local domestic violence service provider serving Savannah and Chatham County. Its 24-hour crisis hotline is 912-629-8888. The organization offers support that may include emergency shelter, safety planning and advocacy. Visit SAFE Shelter’s website to learn more. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
People who need help outside the Savannah area can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. You do not have to wait for physical violence or decide to leave a relationship before speaking with an advocate.
Abuse is not always physical
Domestic violence can include threats, intimidation, financial control, sexual coercion, stalking and isolation from family or friends. Digital monitoring is another concern. Someone may use shared accounts, location settings, social media or devices to track a partner’s activities.
If you think a device is being monitored, consider using a safer phone or computer to seek help. Deleting tracking tools or changing passwords without a safety plan could alert the person responsible.
Georgia public records and dating safety
The Savannah Herald guide also introduces official resources that residents can use to research available public information, including re:SearchGA, the Georgia Sex Offender Registry and the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search.
These tools have important limits. An arrest or court filing is not the same as a conviction, some records are unavailable, and a search that returns no results cannot establish that someone is safe. The sex offender registry is not a domestic violence offender registry.
Resources for families and military households
The resource center also covers dating violence, helping relatives and friends, safety planning, financial abuse and assistance for military families. It includes information for people connected to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, as well as residents of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Survivors deserve information that is clear, accessible and respectful of their choices. Family members and friends can help by listening, avoiding judgment and offering practical support without disclosing someone’s location or plans.
Read the full Savannah Herald resource guide
For regional organizations, technology safety guidance, court research tools and additional answers to common questions, visit the Savannah Herald Domestic Violence Resources and Safety Guide.
Service availability and contact details can change. Check directly with each organization for current information.
