The Advocacy Center (TAC)
Help for victims and survivors of family violence.
The Advocacy Center provides no-cost legal advice and services to victims and survivors of violence — including help obtaining protective and restraining orders. You do not have to face this alone.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 now. For confidential support any time of day, the Healing Hearts 24/7 crisis hotline is (671) 647-5351. The resources below are also here to help.
Our mission
Safeguarding the people of Guam from family violence.
The mission of the Domestic Violence Program within the Public Defender Service Corporation is to safeguard the people of Guam from family violence, through court proceedings brought on their behalf by the Public Defender Service Corporation.
Our services include
- Free legal representation for victims of family violence, on a walk-in basis.
- If you exceed our income guidelines, we will still assist you until protective orders are obtained.
- Obtaining appropriate restraining orders to protect victims of family violence.
- Referral services to appropriate agencies — counseling, child support, criminal sexual conduct, child protective services, and more.
- Continuous victim representation to make sure the court's protective orders and other orders are enforced.
Good to know
- A police report is not required to ask for a protective order.
- There are 15 attorneys at the Public Defender Service Corporation. If your assigned attorney is unavailable, your case is forwarded to another available attorney.
- Once your paperwork is completed, it is filed at court for an Ex Parte hearing date and time. Our office will notify you when to appear.
Recognize the signs
Are you being abused?
Abuse is not only physical. Ask yourself — does the person you love…
- Track all of your time?
- Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful?
- Discourage your relationships with family and friends?
- Prevent you from working or attending school?
- Criticize you for little things?
- Anger easily when drinking or using drugs?
- Control all finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend?
- Humiliate you in front of others?
- Destroy personal property or sentimental items?
- Hit, punch, slap, kick, or bite you or the children?
- Use or threaten to use a weapon against you?
- Threaten or hurt you or the children?
- Force you to have sex against your will?
If you find yourself saying yes to any of these — it's time to get help.
Protective orders
What a protective order does.
Under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) [18 U.S.C. § 2265–66], a protection order is any injunction or order issued to prevent violent or threatening acts, harassment, contact or communication with, or physical proximity to another person.
Abused persons who are granted a court Order of Protection can call upon law enforcement to protect them and to take appropriate action against abusers nationwide — Guam included — through VAWA's full faith and credit provisions.
Protective orders differ in form, content, length and name (for example: stay-away, restraining, criminal, and emergency or temporary protection orders or injunctions). An Ex Parte order is an emergency or temporary order issued before the respondent is given notice or a hearing.
Plan for your safety
A few steps that help.
- Keep important documents, keys, money, and medicine where you can grab them quickly.
- Memorize a few key phone numbers in case you cannot reach your phone.
- Decide where you will go and how you will get there.
- Tell someone you trust what is happening.
- Call a crisis hotline below — they can help you build a safety plan that fits your situation.
Get help
Island resources & hotlines.
You can walk in to our office or call (671) 969-3131. The organizations below also provide shelter, counseling, and crisis support across Guam.
| Organization | Hotline | Telephone | Email / Web |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alee Shelter | 648-4673 | (671) 649-2533 (671) 648-5888 | |
| Crime Victim's Assistance Unit, Office for Victims of Crimes | 911 | (671) 475-3324 | |
| Crisis Hotline | 647-8833 | dmhsa.guam.gov | |
| Governor's Community Outreach — Federal Programs Office | (671) 475-9162 (671) 475-9178 (671) 475-9179 | gcofpo@teleguam.net | |
| Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence | (671) 479-2277 | info@guamcoalition.org | |
| Guam Legal Service — Disability Law Center | (671) 477-9811 (671) 477-9812 | lawhelp.org/gu | |
| Guam Police Department | 911 | (671) 472-8911 | |
| Guma' Mami, Inc. | 647-8883 | (671) 477-1757 (671) 477-1505 | gumamami@guam.net gumamami.org |
| Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse | (671) 475-5440 (671) 475-5448 | ||
| Erica's House | (671) 642-4020 (671) 472-4022 | ericahse@guamcell.net | |
| Healing Hearts Crisis Center | (671) 647-5351 (671) 647-8833 | leticia.piper@mail.dmhsa.guam.gov | |
| Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church | (671) 477-9118 | ihomelifeteen@gmail.com | |
| Victim Witness Ayuda Services | (671) 475-3406 | ||
| Sanctuary Incorporated | 475-7100 | (671) 475-7101 | inquiries@sanctuaryguam.org |
| UOG Violence Against Women Prevention Program | (671) 735-2890 |
Numbers shown without an area code are local Guam hotlines. If a number has changed, please call our office at (671) 969-3131 and we will direct you.
You can walk in — no appointment needed.
Free legal representation for victims of family violence is available on a walk-in basis. A police report is not required.