Programs that provide information and guidance and/or representation in court proceedings for individuals who have been abused in an intimate relationship and/or for people who are facing a summary conviction offence or criminal charge for perpetrating abuse. Included are domestic violence law clinics and other legal assistance programs that represent victims of domestic abuse at restraining order hearings or in other civil or criminal actions involving charges against an abuser. Most also represent the person's interests in complexities that arise as part of the legal process such as restitution, payment of debts or child support, custody and visitation and property control. Some programs may also represent victims of domestic abuse who have been charged with a crime and/or handle cases involving accusations of child abuse filed by one parent against the other, abuse of an elderly person by an adult child or abuse of an adult child by a parent.

Programs that provide crisis, short-term and/or ongoing counseling for people who are coping with the emotional trauma of being forced to engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts without their consent. Included are military sexual trauma (MST) counseling programs offered by facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, which address the needs of veterans who have been traumatized by having experienced assault or repeated threatening sexual harassment which occurred while serving on active duty in the military. Counseling and support may be offered in a variety of settings and may include individual, conjoint, family and group therapy sessions for the survivor and/or significant others.

Programs that provide immediate assistance for women and men who have experienced domestic abuse which may include steps to ensure the person's safety; short-term emotional support; assistance with shelter; legal information and advocacy; referrals for medical treatment; ongoing counseling and/or group support; and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are survivors of rape, incest and other forms of sexual assault which may include steps to ensure the person's safety, short-term emotional support, information regarding the person's rights and alternatives, and referrals and/or accompaniment to resources for medical, legal and emotional needs, advocacy and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Individuals who are generally between the ages of 18 and 25 depending on the ages that specific programs use for qualification.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who have been involved in domestic violence or abuse, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by ongoing interaction with and concern about living in a violent and/or abusive environment.

Individuals age 18 and older who have been subjected to a persistent pattern behavior in which one intimate partner uses physical violence, coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation and emotional, sexual, or economic abuse to control the other partner in a relationship. Stalking or other harassing behavior is often an integral part of the pattern. Abusers may include caregivers, spouses, intimate partners or other family members.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been subjected to a persistent pattern of violence and/or neglect which may include emotional abuse, emotional deprivation, physical abuse and corporal punishment that results in a traumatic condition, physical neglect and/or inadequate supervision, and/or sexual abuse or exploitation.