Where to get help
Family Compass and the posters are support for ordinary hard days. When more than that is needed, here are free lines staffed by people who know how to help.
These lines are free. Calling one does not mean things are terrible or that you cannot cope. Often it is simply a way to hear a calm voice and work out the next step.
These are Ukrainian services and calls are answered in Ukrainian. If you do not speak Ukrainian, it is worth having someone with you who does — or, from outside Ukraine, looking up the equivalent service where you are.
If safety is at risk
If there is a threat to life or health right now — to you, your child or anyone in the house. 112 is the single number to call if you are not sure which service you need.
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine ↗Domestic violence and violence against children
24/7 · free · anonymous
The government hotline. Information, psychological and legal advice.
Government Contact Centre ↗National domestic violence prevention line
Free · anonymous
La Strada-Ukraine. Support for anyone experiencing physical, psychological, sexual or economic violence.
La Strada-Ukraine ↗Psychological support
Free psychological support
Hours listed on the line's own site
The National Psychological Association. For when you need to talk to a psychologist rather than crisis help.
Ministry of Health list of helplines ↗Emotional support
Daily 10:00–20:00 · free · anonymous
The International Organization for Migration. For when it is hard and you want someone to simply listen.
IOM Ukraine ↗Health questions and where to go with them
Ministry of Health contact centre
For when you do not know which specialist to see — including about postpartum health.
Ministry of Health of Ukraine ↗Children's line
Weekdays 12:00–20:00 · free · anonymous
La Strada-Ukraine. For children and teenagers — bullying, relationships, violence.
La Strada-Ukraine ↗The numbers were checked against official sources as of 17 September 2026. Opening hours change — the line's own site always has the current information.
Where to get help in person
These are entry points rather than a full list of addresses: shelters and centres differ by region and change over time. The most reliable move is to call 1547 or 116 123 and let them route you to a service near you.
Free Legal Aid (Безоплатна правнича допомога)
A state system with centres across Ukraine. A free lawyer for a restraining order against an abuser, divorce, child maintenance, custody and child protection.
How to reach them: Contact centre 0 800 213 103 — 24/7, free. They will also point you to your nearest centre.
Organisation's site ↗Mobile social and psychological support teams
A psychologist and a social worker who come to you — including when leaving the house is difficult. More than 700 teams across Ukraine, and the help is free.
How to reach them: Request one through 1547 or 116 123, or through the police or your local social services.
Organisation's site ↗Shelters, crisis rooms and day centres
Temporary safe housing for anyone who is not safe at home — children included. Day centres let you see a psychologist and a lawyer without moving out.
How to reach them: Placement goes through 1547, the police or your local social services. A region-by-region list is on the Rozirvy Kolo site.
Organisation's site ↗La Strada-Ukraine
The NGO behind the 116 123 line: legal and psychological support, plus a directory of regional support services.
How to reach them: Through the 116 123 line or the organisation's own site.
Organisation's site ↗Local community social services
The entry point for families in difficult circumstances — not only violence: conflict, having no resources left, childcare, hardship.
How to reach them: Through your community's social services or the National Social Service of Ukraine.
Organisation's site ↗UNFPA Ukraine
Coordinates the network of day centres and mobile teams supporting survivors of violence, together with state services.
How to reach them: Contacts for services in your city are on the programme's site.
Organisation's site ↗When it is worth calling
- You are frightened at home — or frightened for your child.
- A partner controls, humiliates, threatens or uses force.
- You feel you cannot hold on: emptiness, anxiety that will not lift, thoughts of disappearing.
- It has been weeks since the birth and things are not getting better — that is not weakness and not “just tiredness”.
- You are losing your temper with your child and cannot stop it.
- You simply want someone to listen calmly.
Asking for help does not mean you are bad parents. It means you are taking care of your family.
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Know a line that is missing here? Write to us.