Important Numbers: Police: 911
Greater Charlotte Hope Line/Safe Alliance: 980-771-4673
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Depending on who you call and what services you have been received, your case would be taken up differently. Below are summarized descriptions of Mecklenburg County domestic violence services. If you want more specificities to help determine which resource is best for your case, please use our resource calculator at the bottom of this page.
Remember: Filing a violence case with authorities does NOT include automatic divorce. You would need to file that separately as divorce is considered a civil court matter. Only filing a violence case would result in a criminal case.
❋ Greater Charlotte Hope Line When you contact the Greater Hope Line, you’ll speak with a trained advocate who is there to listen and support you. You don’t have to give your name, and you can share as much or as little as you want. The conversation is confidential, and you stay in control.
They can help you talk through what’s happening and explain options like safety planning or local resources like a shelter. But nothing happens without your permission. Reaching out does not automatically involve police or courts. It’s simply a safe place to get support and information at your own pace.
❋ Calling the Police In Mecklenburg County, calling 911 for domestic violence means officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will come to check on safety and assess what is happening. When officers arrive, they usually separate the people involved and ask questions to understand the situation. Their first responsibility is to make sure no one is in immediate danger.
CMPD officers are required under North Carolina law to take domestic violence calls seriously. If they find enough evidence that a crime occurred, such as visible injuries, statements made at the scene, witness accounts, or prior incidents, they may make an arrest. An arrest can happen even if the person who was harmed does not request one, as long as officers believe there is probable cause.
If officers do not make an arrest, they may still complete a police report documenting what happened. This report can later be used if someone decides to seek legal protection. In these situations, officers often explain the option of speaking with a magistrate. A magistrate is a judicial official who can help with filing criminal charges or requesting a Domestic Violence Protective Order.
If an arrest is made, the person arrested is taken before a Mecklenburg County magistrate. The magistrate decides conditions such as bond, release, and whether a no-contact order is issued. These decisions are made based on the law and safety concerns, not personal preference.
Once CMPD is involved, the situation enters the legal system, and some outcomes may be outside the caller’s control. Understanding this process can help someone decide whether calling the police feels like the right step for them in that moment.
❋ National Domestic Violence Hotline Contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline connects you with a trained advocate who listens and supports you. You do not have to share your name, and the conversation is confidential. Calling the hotline does not automatically involve police or courts. You stay in control and can receive support and information at your own pace. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can refer you to a local helpline or support organization if you want. If you share your city, state, or ZIP code, the advocate can help connect you with nearby resources such as local hotlines, shelters, counseling services, or legal support.
❋ Safe Alliance Safe Alliance provides hope and healing for people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and related trauma in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. They offer a wide range of services designed specifically to support victims and survivors through both immediate safety needs and longer-term recovery. They run the 24/7 Greater Charlotte Hope Line, a free and confidential crisis hotline you can call anytime for support and information.
They operate the Clyde & Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter, which provides a safe, emergency place to stay for people who need to leave an unsafe home.
Through their Victim Assistance Court Program, they help victims file or renew domestic violence protective orders (called 50B orders) and accompany you to court.
They provide safety planning, crisis intervention, legal support, and emotional support groups for survivors and their families.
Additional services include language support, counseling, and connections to other community resources.
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What to Expect When you reach out for help
Choosing support is choosing yourself.
How It Works: Safe Alliance -
You can reach out to Safe Alliance anytime you need support related to domestic violence, whether you are currently in danger, planning to leave, or trying to understand your options. You don’t have to be sure you want to take action — even just talking through your situation with an advocate can help you think clearly and feel less alone.
Here are a few examples of when people commonly contact them:
When you want immediate support or safety planning.
When you need help understanding your rights or legal options.
When you want a safe place to stay away from danger.
When you want help with protective orders or court processes.
When you simply need someone to listen and support you.
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Hotline or Police → Immediate intervention. May result in arrest or just friendly check in. Second report of police may result in more serious out. Domestic Social Services and Child Protective Services may be involved depending on severity of situation especially if you contact a Domestic Violence Helpline.
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After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.
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We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from the event as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays.
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Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your new adventure.
How It Works: Calling the Police -
Scroll up to see local resources!
If you want a divorce and protection → Call Safe Alliance early morning before 9 am to get an opportunity to speak with the Judge.
If you need immediate protection → Greater Charlotte Hopeline or 911. Keep in mind police will be involved if you contact either of these services
Need Guidance on what to do → Greater Charlotte Hopeline, and National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Legal protection → Follow Instructions on Safe Alliance section of this page
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Hotline or Police → Immediate intervention. May result in arrest or just friendly check in. Second report of police may result in more serious out. Domestic Social Services and Child Protective Services may be involved depending on severity of situation especially if you contact a Domestic Violence Helpline.
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After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.
-
We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from the event as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays.
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Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your new adventure.