What we verified in “VAWA: your housing if you face domestic violence or stalking”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to HUD, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that, in part, provides housing protections for people applying for or living in federally subsidized units who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking, to help keep them safe and reduce their likelihood of homelessness; it protects all survivors, who do not have to be married to, related to or living with the perpetrator, and it does not matter how long ago the violence happened.

   Sources 1 · Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 'provides housing protections for people applying for or living in units subsidized by the federal government and who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking'; 'to help keep them safe and reduce their likelihood of experiencing homelessness'; 'the survivor does not have to be married to, related to, or living with the perpetrator to be protected by VAWA'; 'It does not matter how long ago the survivor experienced the violence' · Checked October 31, 2026

2. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2001), despite the law's title, the protections are not limited to women: they cover victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking regardless of sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.

   Sources 4 · 24 CFR §5.2001(a): 'Notwithstanding the title of the statute, protections are not limited to women but cover victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation' · Checked October 31, 2026

3. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2003), domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence by a current or former spouse or intimate partner, by someone with whom the victim shares a child, or by someone who lives or lived with the victim as a partner; dating violence is violence by someone who is or was in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim; sexual assault is any nonconsensual sexual act prohibited by law; and stalking is a course of conduct aimed at a specific person that would make a reasonable person fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress.

   Sources 5 · 24 CFR §5.2003, Definitions: 'Domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common'; 'Dating violence means violence committed by a person'; 'Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim'; 'Sexual assault means any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law'; 'Stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to'; 'Fear for the person's individual safety or the safety of others'; 'Suffer substantial emotional distress' · Checked October 31, 2026

4. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2003), covered HUD programs include, among others, public housing; Section 8 vouchers and project-based Section 8 assistance; Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities; HOPWA; HOME; homeless programs such as Emergency Solutions Grants and Continuum of Care; Section 221(d)(3) and Section 236 multifamily housing; and the Housing Trust Fund.

   Sources 5 · 24 CFR §5.2003, 'Covered housing program': 'Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly'; 'Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities'; 'Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)'; 'HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program'; 'including the Emergency Solutions Grants program'; 'the Continuum of Care program'; 'Multifamily rental housing under section 221(d)(3)'; 'Multifamily rental housing under section 236'; 'public housing under section 6 of the 1937 Act'; 'tenant-based and project-based rental assistance under section 8 of the 1937 Act'; 'The Housing Trust Fund' · Checked October 31, 2026

5. Under the statute (34 U.S.C. §12491), covered programs also include, among others, certain rural housing assistance (42 U.S.C. §§1484, 1485, 1486, 1490m, 1490p-2 and 1490r), the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and several housing programs for homeless veterans.

   Sources 2 · 34 U.S.C. §12491(a)(3)(I)–(N): 'rural housing assistance provided under sections 1484, 1485, 1486, 1490m, 1490p–2, and 1490r of title 42'; 'the low income housing tax credit program under section 42 of title 26'; 'the Comprehensive Service Programs for Homeless Veterans program' · Checked October 31, 2026

6. According to HUD, on September 12, 2024, HUD, the Department of Agriculture, the Treasury, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Justice issued an Interagency Statement on VAWA's housing provisions, which outlines the programs included and the rights of survivors.

   Sources 1 · Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), 'Interagency Statement on the Violence Against Women Act’s Housing Provisions': 'On September 12, 2024, HUD, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Department of Justice issued an Interagency Statement on VAWA’s Housing Provisions'; 'The Statement outlines the housing programs included in VAWA’s housing title' · Checked October 31, 2026

7. Under the statute (34 U.S.C. §12491) and HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2005), an applicant for or tenant of covered housing may not be denied admission or assistance, terminated from participation or evicted because they are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking, if they otherwise qualify.

   Sources 2 · 34 U.S.C. §12491(b)(1): 'may not be denied admission to, denied assistance under, terminated from participation in, or evicted from the housing on the basis that the applicant or tenant is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, if the applicant or tenant otherwise qualifies for admission, assistance, participation, or occupancy' · Checked October 31, 2026

8. According to HUD's notice of rights (Form HUD-5380), you cannot be denied housing just because of problems that are a direct result of being a victim, for example a poor rental or credit history or a criminal record that directly results from the violence; and as a tenant, you cannot be evicted because of repeated noise complaints or property damage that directly result from the violence, or because of someone else's criminal acts directly related to violence against you, a household member or another affiliated person.

   Sources 10 · Form HUD-5380, applicant and tenant sections: 'if you have a poor rental or credit history or a criminal record, and that history or record is the direct result of you being a victim of VAWA abuse/violence, that history or record cannot be used as a reason to deny you housing'; 'repeated noise complaints and damage to the property, neither the noise complaints nor property damage can be used as a reason for evicting you'; 'because of someone else’s criminal actions that are directly related to VAWA abuse/violence against you, a household member, or another affiliated person' · Checked October 31, 2026

9. Under the statute (34 U.S.C. §12491), an actual or threatened incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking is not a serious or repeated violation of the victim's lease, nor good cause to end the victim's assistance or tenancy.

   Sources 2 · 34 U.S.C. §12491(b)(2): 'An incident of actual or threatened domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking shall not be construed as'; 'a serious or repeated violation of a lease'; 'good cause for terminating the assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights' · Checked October 31, 2026

10. Under the statute (34 U.S.C. §12491), no one may deny a tenant assistance, tenancy or occupancy rights solely because of criminal activity directly related to that violence committed by a household member, a guest or another person under the tenant's control, if the tenant or an affiliated individual is the victim or threatened victim.

    Sources 2 · 34 U.S.C. §12491(b)(3)(A): 'No person may deny assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights to housing assisted under a covered housing program to a tenant solely on the basis of criminal activity directly relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking that is engaged in by a member of the household of the tenant or any guest or other person under the control of the tenant, if the tenant or an affiliated individual of the tenant is the victim or threatened victim' · Checked October 31, 2026

11. Under the statute (34 U.S.C. §12491), an 'affiliated individual' is the person's spouse, parent, sibling or child, or someone for whom the person stands in place of a parent; or any individual, tenant or lawful occupant living in the person's household.

    Sources 2 · 34 U.S.C. §12491(a)(1): 'a spouse, parent, sibling, or child of that individual, or an individual to whom that individual stands in loco parentis'; 'any individual, tenant, or lawful occupant living in the household of that individual' · Checked October 31, 2026

12. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2005(d)), VAWA does not stop an eviction or termination for a violation not based on the violence, but you cannot be held to a more demanding standard than other tenants; it also allows eviction if the provider can show an actual and imminent threat to other tenants or staff, and only when no other action could reduce the threat, such as transferring the victim, barring the perpetrator or asking for more police presence; and the provider still follows court orders, including protection orders.

    Sources 6 · 24 CFR §5.2005(d)(1)–(4): 'when notified of a court order, to comply with a court order'; 'including civil protection orders issued to protect a victim'; 'for any violation not premised on an act of domestic violence'; 'must not subject the tenant'; 'to a more demanding standard than other tenants'; 'can demonstrate an actual and imminent threat to other tenants or those employed at or providing service to property'; 'should be utilized by a covered housing provider only when there are no other actions that could be taken to reduce or eliminate the threat'; 'transferring the victim to a different unit, barring the perpetrator from the property, contacting law enforcement to increase police presence' · Checked October 31, 2026

13. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2005(a)), the housing provider must give you the 'Notice of Occupancy Rights under the Violence Against Women Act' and the certification form when you are denied assistance or admission, when you are admitted, and with any eviction notice or notice ending your assistance; both must be available in multiple languages.

    Sources 6 · 24 CFR §5.2005(a)(1)–(3): 'A “Notice of Occupancy Rights under the Violence Against Women Act,”'; 'A certification form, in a form approved by HUD'; 'At the time the applicant is denied assistance or admission'; 'At the time the individual is provided assistance or admission'; 'With any notification of eviction or notification of termination of assistance'; 'must be made available in multiple languages' · Checked October 31, 2026

14. According to HUD, the notice of rights is Form HUD-5380 and the self-certification is Form HUD-5382; HUD also publishes the model emergency transfer plan (HUD-5381) and the emergency transfer request (HUD-5383), and translated versions of those forms are available.

    Sources 1 · Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 'Notice of VAWA Housing Rights (Form HUD-5380) and HUD's VAWA Self-certification Form (Form HUD-5382)'; 'Model Emergency Transfer Plan for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking (Form HUD-5381'; 'Emergency Transfer Request for Certain Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking (Form HUD-5383'; 'Translated versions of Form HUD-5380, 5381, 5382, 5383, 5484 are available' · Checked October 31, 2026

15. According to HUD's notice (Form HUD-5380), VAWA protections may be raised at any time, and you do not need to know the type or name of the program you are in or applying to.

    Sources 10 · Form HUD-5380, 'What is the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”)?': 'VAWA protections may be raised at any time'; 'You do not need to know the type or name of the program you are participating in or applying to in order to seek VAWA protections' · Checked October 31, 2026

16. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2007), if you say you are a victim, the provider may ask you in writing to document it; if you do not provide documentation within 14 business days after receiving that written request, the provider may deny the protection, although it may give more time; and you choose which document to submit: the certification form; a document signed by you and by an employee, agent or volunteer of a victim service provider, an attorney, or a medical or mental health professional who helped you, stating under penalty of perjury that they believe the incident occurred; a police, court or administrative agency record; or, at the provider's discretion, your own statement or other evidence.

    Sources 7 · 24 CFR §5.2007(a)–(b)(1): 'may request, in writing'; 'within 14 business days after the date that the tenant receives a request in writing'; 'may, at its discretion, extend the 14-business-day deadline'; 'where it is at the discretion of the tenant or applicant which one of the following forms of documentation to submit'; 'The certification form described in § 5.2005(a)(1)(ii)'; 'Signed by an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim service provider, an attorney, or medical professional, or a mental health professional'; 'under penalty of perjury'; 'A record of a Federal, State, tribal, territorial or local law enforcement agency, court, or administrative agency'; 'At the discretion of a covered housing provider, a statement or other evidence provided by the applicant or tenant' · Checked October 31, 2026

17. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2007), if the provider receives documents with conflicting information, for example forms from two household members each naming the other, it may require third-party documentation (from a professional, an official record or, if it allows, other evidence) within 30 calendar days; and nothing requires the provider to ask you for documentation at all.

    Sources 7 · 24 CFR §5.2007(b)(2)–(3): 'contains conflicting information (including certification forms from two or more members of a household each claiming to be a victim'; 'may require an applicant or tenant to submit third-party documentation'; 'within 30 calendar days of the date of the request for the third-party documentation'; 'Nothing in this paragraph (b) shall be construed to require a covered housing provider to request that an individual submit documentation' · Checked October 31, 2026

18. According to HUD, a survivor must be able to provide proof by self-certifying with Form HUD-5382, and not be required to provide more proof unless the provider has conflicting information.

    Sources 1 · Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 'Must be able to provide proof to the housing provider by self-certifying using the HUD VAWA Self-certification ( Form HUD-5382 ), and not be required to provide more proof unless the housing provider has conflicting information about the violence/abuse' · Checked October 31, 2026

19. According to Form HUD-5380, you or someone else can fill out the self-certification form; it is your choice which document to provide; the provider must accept any one of the allowed documents and cannot require more than one unless it receives conflicting information; and if you do not provide one by the deadline, the provider does not have to give you the protections you requested.

    Sources 10 · Form HUD-5380, 'What do I need to document that I am a victim of VAWA abuse/violence?': 'Either you can fill out the form or someone else can complete it for you'; 'It is your choice which documentation to provide and the covered housing provider must accept any one of the above as documentation'; 'requiring more than one of these types of documentation, unless the covered housing provider receives conflicting information'; 'If you do not provide one of these types of documentation by the deadline, the covered housing provider does not have to provide the VAWA protections you requested' · Checked October 31, 2026

20. Form HUD-5382 asks for the victim's name, the names of other household members, the perpetrator's name only if known and safe to disclose, and the safest way to contact you (by phone, email or mail, marking whether it is safe to leave a message); by signing it you certify that the information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge and recollection; and it says you cannot be asked or required to prove victim status other than as described in Form HUD-5380.

    Sources 11 · Form HUD-5382: 'Name of the perpetrator (if known and can be safely disclosed)'; 'What is the safest and most secure way to contact you?'; 'Safe to receive a voicemail'; 'I am certifying that the information provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and recollection'; 'You are not expected and cannot be asked or required to claim, document, or prove victim status or VAWA violence/abuse other than as stated in' · Checked October 31, 2026

21. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2007(c)), all information you submit, including the fact that you are a victim, is kept in strict confidence: it is not entered into any shared database or given to anyone else, unless you request or consent to it in writing for a limited time, it is needed in an eviction or termination hearing, or another law requires it.

    Sources 7 · 24 CFR §5.2007(c): 'shall be maintained in strict confidence by the covered housing provider'; 'shall not enter confidential information described in paragraph (c) of this section into any shared database'; 'Requested or consented to in writing by the individual in a time-limited release'; 'Required for use in an eviction proceeding or hearing regarding termination of assistance'; 'Otherwise required by applicable law' · Checked October 31, 2026

22. According to Form HUD-5382, the provider should keep information about the violence securely and separately from your other tenant files, and must keep your address strictly confidential so that it is not disclosed to the person who committed or threatened the violence against you or a household member.

    Sources 11 · Form HUD-5382, 'Will my information be kept confidential?': 'This information should be securely and separately kept from your other tenant files'; 'your covered housing provider must keep your address strictly confidential to ensure that it is not disclosed to a person who committed or threatened to commit VAWA violence/abuse against you' · Checked October 31, 2026

23. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2009(a)), the provider may divide the lease (bifurcation) or remove a household member from it in order to evict or end assistance to the person who commits criminal acts directly related to the violence, whether or not that person signed the lease, without evicting or penalizing the victim who is also a tenant or lawful occupant; and it must follow federal, state or local law and program procedures.

    Sources 8 · 24 CFR §5.2009(a)(1)–(2): 'may in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section, bifurcate a lease, or remove a household member from a lease'; 'Without regard to whether the household member is a signatory to the lease'; 'Without evicting, removing, terminating assistance to, or otherwise penalizing a victim'; 'shall be carried out in accordance with any requirements or procedures as may be prescribed by Federal, State, or local law' · Checked October 31, 2026

24. According to HUD, a survivor can ask the owner or landlord for a lease bifurcation to remove the perpetrator from the lease or unit, and if the provider bifurcates, it must follow applicable federal, state or local laws and the HUD program's requirements.

    Sources 1 · Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 'Can request a lease bifurcation from the owner or landlord to remove the perpetrator from the lease or unit, and if the housing provider bifurcates, it must be done consistent with applicable federal, state, or local laws and the requirements of the HUD housing program' · Checked October 31, 2026

25. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2009(b)), if the evicted person was the one who qualified for the program, the provider must give the remaining tenants 90 calendar days from the bifurcation to establish eligibility for the same or another covered program, or to find other housing; the period does not apply where the program statute prohibits it, does not run past the lease's end unless program rules allow, and the provider may extend it by up to 60 more calendar days; each program's rules may set different time frames.

    Sources 8 · 24 CFR §5.2009(b)(1)–(2): 'Some covered housing programs may provide different time frames'; 'a period of 90 calendar days from the date of bifurcation of the lease'; 'Establish eligibility for the same covered housing program'; 'Establish eligibility under another covered housing program'; 'Find alternative housing'; 'will not apply beyond the expiration of a lease, unless this is permitted by program regulations'; 'may extend the 90-calendar-day period in paragraph (b)(2) of this section up to an additional 60 calendar days' · Checked October 31, 2026

26. According to Form HUD-5380, in the Housing Choice Voucher, project-based voucher and public housing programs, if the person removed was the only tenant who had established eligible citizenship or immigration status, the remaining members get 30 calendar days from the bifurcation to establish eligibility or find other housing; in HUD-VASH, if the veteran is removed, the family can keep receiving assistance; in Section 202 and 811 with a PRAC, they get 90 days or until the lease expires, whichever is first; in Section 236 and project-based Section 8, 30 days; and in HOPWA, 90 days to one year.

    Sources 10 · Form HUD-5380, table of time for remaining household members: 'If the person removed was the only tenant who established eligible citizenship/immigration status, the remaining household member(s) must be given 30 calendar days from the date of the lease bifurcation'; 'For HUD-VASH, if the veteran is removed, the remaining family member(s) can keep receiving assistance'; 'Section 202/811 PRAC and'; 'must be given 90 calendar days from the date of the lease bifurcation or until the lease expires, whichever is first'; 'Section 236 (including'; 'The remaining household member(s) must be given 30 calendar days from the date of'; 'must be given no less than 90 calendar days, and not more than one year' · Checked October 31, 2026

27. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2005(e)), the emergency transfer plan must let a tenant who is a victim transfer if they expressly request it and reasonably believe they face a threat of imminent harm from further violence if they stay in the same unit; a victim of sexual assault also qualifies if the assault happened on the premises within the 90 calendar days before the request.

    Sources 6 · 24 CFR §5.2005(e)(2): 'The tenant expressly requests the transfer'; 'The tenant reasonably believes there is a threat of imminent harm from further violence if the tenant remains within the same dwelling unit'; 'the sexual assault occurred on the premises during the 90-calendar-day period preceding the date of the request for transfer' · Checked October 31, 2026

28. According to Form HUD-5380, the 90 days after a sexual assault include holidays and weekends; you can request a transfer even if you are not lease compliant, for example if you owe rent; your request, the information you gave and your new unit's location must be kept strictly confidential; and a transfer cannot be guaranteed.

    Sources 10 · Form HUD-5380, 'How can tenants request an emergency transfer?': 'An emergency transfer cannot be guaranteed'; 'within 90 days (including holidays and weekend days)'; 'You can request an emergency transfer even if you are not lease compliant, for example if you owe rent'; 'your request, the information you provided to make the request, and your new unit’s location must be kept strictly confidential' · Checked October 31, 2026

29. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2005(e)), every provider must adopt an emergency transfer plan based on HUD's model; the plan must keep your new location strictly confidential, allow an internal transfer when a safe unit is immediately available, let you seek internal and external transfers at the same time if one is not, describe how tenants with tenant-based assistance such as a voucher can move quickly with it, and be available on request. A 'safe unit' is one the victim believes is safe.

    Sources 6 · 24 CFR §5.2005(e): 'shall adopt an emergency transfer plan'; 'based on HUD's model emergency transfer plan'; 'Safe unit refers to a unit that the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking believes is safe'; 'must incorporate strict confidentiality measures'; 'must allow a tenant to make an internal emergency transfer under VAWA when a safe unit is immediately available'; 'Nothing may preclude a tenant from seeking an internal emergency transfer and an external emergency transfer concurrently'; 'who has tenant-based rental assistance'; 'to move quickly with that assistance'; 'must make its emergency transfer plan available upon request' · Checked October 31, 2026

30. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2005(e)(10)), your written request certifying that you meet the conditions is enough for an emergency transfer; the provider may ask you to document the violence as in any other case, if you have not already, and no other documentation may be required.

    Sources 6 · 24 CFR §5.2005(e)(10)(i)–(iii): 'The tenant's submission of a written request to the covered housing provider, where the tenant certifies that they meet the criteria'; 'shall be sufficient documentation'; 'may, at its discretion, ask an individual seeking an emergency transfer to document the occurrence'; 'No other documentation is required to qualify the tenant for an emergency transfer' · Checked October 31, 2026

31. According to HUD, if you have a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher you must be allowed to move with continued assistance, and you can request an emergency transfer for safety reasons related to the violence.

    Sources 1 · Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 'Can request an emergency transfer from the housing provider for safety reasons related to the VAWA violence/abuse committed against them'; 'Must be allowed to move with continued assistance , if the survivor has a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher' · Checked October 31, 2026

32. Form HUD-5383 is used to request an emergency transfer and certify that you qualify; among other things it asks for the address you want to leave, who would move with you, the safest way to contact you and the features of a safe unit, such as a new neighborhood or building, a first-floor or upper-floor unit, near an exit, well-lit hallways, 24-hour security or an accessible unit; it says the provider should not evaluate whether you are in good standing, and that submitting it does not necessarily mean you will get a transfer.

    Sources 12 · Form HUD-5383: 'you may use this form to request an emergency transfer and certify that you qualify'; 'Address of location from which the victim seeks to transfer'; 'Name(s) of other household member(s) who would transfer with the victim'; 'What features are requested for a safe unit?'; 'New Neighborhood'; 'New Building'; 'First Floor unit'; 'Near an Exit'; 'Well-lit hallways/walkways'; '24-hour Security'; 'Accessible unit'; 'should not evaluate whether you are in good standing'; 'submitting this form does not necessarily mean that you will receive an emergency transfer' · Checked October 31, 2026

33. According to HUD's forms, if you speak or read a language other than English, the provider must give you language assistance about your VAWA protections, such as oral interpretation or written translation; and translated forms are available on HUD's site.

    Sources 11 · Form HUD-5382, 'What if I require this information in a language other than English?': 'If you speak or read in a language other than English, your covered housing provider must give you language assistance regarding your VAWA protections (for example, oral interpretation and/or written translation)'; 'You can read translated VAWA forms at' · Checked October 31, 2026

34. According to HUD's forms, if you have a disability the provider must make reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, practices or services so you can benefit equally from VAWA protections, for example more time to submit documents or help filling out forms; and you can ask at any time, even for the first time during an eviction.

    Sources 11 · Form HUD-5382, 'Can I request a reasonable accommodation?': 'must provide reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, practices, or services that may be necessary to allow you to equally benefit from VAWA protections'; 'giving you more time to submit documents or assistance with filling out forms'; 'You may request a reasonable accommodation at any time, even for the first time during an eviction' · Checked October 31, 2026

35. Under the statute (34 U.S.C. §12494), no public housing agency or owner or manager of covered housing may discriminate against a person for opposing something this law makes unlawful or for taking part in a related matter, or coerce, intimidate, threaten, interfere with or retaliate against anyone for exercising these rights or helping someone else exercise them.

    Sources 3 · 34 U.S.C. §12494(a)–(b): 'shall discriminate against any person because that person has opposed any act or practice made unlawful by this part'; 'shall coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with, or retaliate against, any person in the exercise or enjoyment of'; 'on account of the person having aided or encouraged any other person' · Checked October 31, 2026

36. According to HUD, if you believe your VAWA rights were violated you can file a complaint with its Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), which offers information in multiple languages and instructions for filing online, by email, by mail or by phone; while HUD updates its form, you can use the current form and explain in the narrative section why you believe your rights were violated; and retaliating against someone who files a complaint is unlawful.

    Sources 1 · Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 'If you believe your VAWA rights have been violated, you can visit this link to file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)'; 'These sites provide information in multiple languages and include instructions for filing a complaint online on HUD’s website and by email, mail, or telephone'; 'please explain in the narrative section why you believe your VAWA rights were violated'; 'It is unlawful to retaliate against someone who has made a complaint' · Checked October 31, 2026

37. Under HUD's regulation (24 CFR §5.2011), these rules do not override any federal, state or local law that gives victims greater protection, and all fair housing and civil rights laws apply.

    Sources 9 · 24 CFR §5.2011(a)–(b): 'Nothing in this subpart shall be construed to supersede any provision of any Federal, State, or local law that provides greater protection than this section'; 'All applicable fair housing and civil rights statutes and requirements apply in the implementation of VAWA requirements' · Checked October 31, 2026

38. According to the Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women, if you are in immediate danger you should call 911; and national hotlines can connect victims with local services: the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673.

    Sources 13 · Local Resources: 'If you are in immediate danger, call 911'; 'National hotline organizations and state, territory, and Tribal coalitions can connect victims and survivors with local direct service providers'; 'National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233'; 'National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673' · Checked October 31, 2026

39. Under Legal Services Corporation regulations (45 CFR §1626.4), legal aid programs it funds may help a noncitizen who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty, or who is a victim of sexual assault or trafficking in the United States, and that help can include protective orders, custody, support and housing.

    Sources 14 · 45 CFR §1626.4: 'An alien who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty , or is a victim of sexual assault or trafficking in the United States'; 'Such representation may include immigration law matters and domestic or poverty law matters (such as obtaining civil protective orders, divorce, paternity, child custody, child and spousal support, housing, public benefits, employment' · Checked October 31, 2026

40. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has a search tool: you enter an address or city and it shows an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you.

    Sources 15 · I Need Legal Help: 'enter an address or city below to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you' · Checked October 31, 2026