Safety Exit
Resources for Survivors
Understanding Your Options
If you’re a survivor of gun violence, help is available. Here’s an overview of the legal and non-legal options that can help you decrease risks and seek safety.
It’s important to seek the safety measure that best fits your needs. This looks different for everyone – find free resources, tools, and key links based on what you’re experiencing.
What is a Domestic Violence Restraining Order and Gun Violence Restraining Order?
If you’re considering obtaining a restraining order, learn more about the different legal remedies in our printable toolkit.
DownloadResources
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing one of the below crises, click into the corresponding section for more information and resources.
Legal Option
About
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) are a frequently used civil court order that helps protect people from abuse or threats of abuse from someone they have a close relationship with. It names both a protected party (survivor/victim) and a restrained party, and provides other remedies such as child custody and visitation, attorney fees, move-out orders, and prohibitions on being violent or accessing a home, school, or place of employment.
Facts
A person who has a DVRO issued against them cannot own, purchase, or possess firearms and ammunition.
We strongly encourage all survivors to work with a domestic violence advocate or legal service provider for support and safety planning.
Key Links
Help is Available: Many domestic violence programs offer 24/7 crisis hotlines to provide support whenever it is needed, as well as a range of free, confidential services to support you in finding safety and healing.
- List & map of domestic violence service providers in California
- California Courts’ webpage on Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
- Call 1-800-799-SAFE or text “START” to 89788 (National Domestic Violence Hotline)
- Call 1-844-7NATIVE (Stronghearts Native Helpline)
Legal Option
About
If you are worried about a loved one harming themselves and they have access to a firearm – or may be considering purchasing one – a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) is one option to consider. A GVRO is a civil court order that prohibits someone from having a gun, ammunition, or magazines.
Facts
GVROs are designed to prohibit access to firearms and ammunition, and were established to prevent suicide or mass shootings.
Firearms are the most lethal suicide attempt method. Access to a gun in the home increases the risk of suicide more than three-fold. 1Anglemyer A, Horvath T, & Rutherford G. (2014). The accessibility of firearms and risk for suicide and homicide victimization among household members: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine.
Delaying a suicide attempt can also allow suicidal crises to pass and lead to fewer suicides.1Owens D, Horrocks J, & House A. (2002). Fatal and non-fatal repetition of self-harm. Systematic review. British Journal of Psychiatry.
Key Links
Help is Available: For 24/7 support, you can dial 988 for free and confidential support for people in distress, and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
Legal Option
About
If you are worried that someone you care about may be a danger to others, the Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) is a potential option to prevent them from having access to guns. These orders can be requested by law enforcement or certain qualified individuals, and if granted by a judge, require the restrained person to turn in any guns, ammunition, and magazines to the police, or sell them to or store them with a licensed gun dealer. The restrained person will also be prevented from purchasing guns, ammunition, and magazines while the order is in effect.
Facts
According to Everytown, from 2009 to 2021, there were 289 mass shootings in the United States, resulting in 1,363 people being shot and killed and 947 people being shot and wounded.
Legal Option
About
If you are experiencing abuse, threats of abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or serious harassment by someone you have not dated and do not have a close relationship with, there is help available. A Civil Harassment Restraining Order can prevent the restrained person from contacting or coming near you and will also prevent the restrained person from having access to firearms.
Key Links
- California Court Civil Harassment Restraining Order webpage: More info about these orders and how to request one.
- List of sexual assault services in California
- Call or text directly at 1-855-4VICTIM or chat online (VictimConnect Resource Center)
Legal Option
About
If you are experiencing this type of abuse, or are concerned for a loved one, you can contact Adult Protective Services in your county. Individuals experiencing elder or dependent adult abuse can request a restraining order from the courts. These orders will prohibit the restrained person from contacting or going near you or others who live with you, and move out of your house if you live together. The order will also prohibit the person from owning or possessing a gun, firearm parts, or ammunition.
It is possible that you may qualify for an Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order and a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. If this is your case, talk to a lawyer or legal aid agency to find out what is the best option for you.
Facts
Elder and dependent adult abuse includes behavior that causes physical harm, mental pain, or suffering of an adult 65 years of age or older, or an individual 18 and 64 that has certain mental or physical disabilities that keep him or her from being able to do normal activities.
Elder and dependent adult abuse can also be closely connected to domestic violence. In these situations, it may be helpful to speak with a domestic violence counselor for support and safety planning.
Key Links
- California Courts Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders
- Adult Protective Services: Each California County has an Adult Protective Services (APS) agency to help elder adults and dependent adults.
- Domestic Violence Service Providers in California
- National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life: Resources for survivors including info about the signs of abuse, available resources, and safety planning tools.
It is possible that you may qualify for an elder or dependent adult abuse restraining order and a domestic violence restraining order. If this is your case, talk to a lawyer or legal aid agency to find out what is the best option for you.
Legal Option
About
Workplace violence can impact and involve employees, clients, customers, and visitors to the workplace. If you are experiencing violence or threats of violence in the workplace, your employer can request a Workplace Violence Restraining Order. An individual cannot request this order — it must be requested by the employer.
As an individual, you can request a Domestic Violence Restraining Order, Civil Harassment Restraining Order, or Elder Abuse Restraining Order, depending on the circumstances of the abuse you are experiencing.
Facts
Workplace homicide is considered the third highest work-related cause of death in the United States, and is the leading cause of death for women at work.
If granted, a Workplace Violence Restraining Order can prohibit the abusive or threatening person from harassing or threatening the employee, and contacting or going near the employee. The order also prohibits the person from having a gun.
It is okay for other orders to be in place at the same time as a Workplace Violence Restraining Order (Domestic Violence Restraining Order, Civil Harassment Restraining Order, or Elder Abuse Restraining Order)
Key Links
- California Courts Workplace Violence Restraining Orders
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Office of Violence Prevention: Overview of workplace violence, its impacts, and warning signs.
- Workplaces Respond to Domestic & Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center: Provides info for survivors, employers, coworkers, and advocates.
Key Links
- Court Self-Help Centers (English and Spanish): Provides free legal help to people who do not have a lawyer.
- California’s Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB): Provides financial support for crime survivors by reimbursing for crime-related expenses.
- Low-cost Legal Aid and organizations funded by the State of California to provide free legal services.
- Reducing Risks & Finding Solutions: Discusses a range of tools available for those at risk of becoming a gun violence victim, witness, or participant.
- Giffords Law Center California Resource Guide – How to Get Help When Someone May Hurt Themselves or Others