SHIELD PROJECT

You Never Have To Walk Alone.

In the shadows of the family-court system, too many survivors of abuse stand alone.

We bring light, connection, and hope — uniting warriors who confront injustice with healers who help survivors rebuild their lives through advocacy, education, and systemic reform.

From our California roots, The Shield Project is growing into a national movement for safety, dignity, and change — so no one has to walk this path in silence again.


Women facing the family-court system — including survivors of abuse, mothers seeking safety for their children, women navigating custody disputes, and anyone dealing with intimidation, control, or fear during legal proceedings. If you’re unsure where to turn or what your next step should be, we’re here to help you move forward safely and confidently.

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Your information is never shared or sold. If you may be in an unsafe situation, consider clearing your browser history after visiting this page and using a safe device. Your safety and privacy come first in every interaction with The Shield Project.

Who We Help

You Never Have To Walk Alone

The Shield Project offers free, confidential guidance for women facing the family-court system. We’re here to help you take the next safe, informed step.

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Our Work: Support and Systemic Change for Survivors

Our Work

Support and Systemic Change for Survivors

What The Shield Project Provides

Our mission is to help women make informed, confident decisions during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We offer guidance, education, and survivor-centered support without judgment or obligation. Whether you’re preparing for a custody hearing, responding to a court order, or trying to understand your legal options, we’re here to walk with you at every step of the process.

Warriors and Healers — both are needed in this fight.

At The Shield Project, our work combines protection and renewal: warriors who confront injustice, and healers who help survivors recover hope and stability through advocacy, education, and coordinated reform.

We are building a national movement that connects individuals and organizations defending women and children in the family-court system transforming isolated efforts into a unified force for safety, justice, and reform.

Warriors
We expose systemic failures in the family-court process, advocate for institutional accountability, and amplify survivor voices that have too often been silenced.

Healers
We foster recovery through education, survivor-led outreach, and collaboration with trauma-informed professionals and nonprofits nationwide.

Our Mission in Motion

From our California roots, Shield is expanding into a network that unites local initiatives across the United States under a shared banner — to protect, educate, and empower survivors while demanding justice from the systems that failed them.

Get Involved

Join the movement — stand with us as we protect, unite, and seek justice for survivors.

Contact

© 2025 The Shield Project | A California 501(c)(3) Nonprofit | EIN #39-2332132 | info@shieldsproject.org

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Jill Montes and Family — The Heart of Shield

Jill Montes and Family — The Heart of Shield

Explore trauma-informed guides and tools designed to support survivors navigating family-court abuse.

About Our Resource Network

The Shield Project is building the world’s most comprehensive, survivor-centered database of family-court-linked abuse and domestic-violence resources.
Our vision is to make help accessible by ZIP code—connecting survivors, advocates, and researchers to verified local and national services in real time.

Beginning with national hotlines and foundational programs, we are expanding city by city to create a living map of protection, education, and hope.
Our goal is not only to help survivors find safety but to ensure that advocates, policymakers, and researchers have the data they need to study, understand, and reform a system that has too often operated in the dark.

When accurate information becomes visible, awareness follows—and so does change.

To paraphrase the classic line from Field of Dreams: if we build it, they will come.

This resource index was inspired by, and developed with gratitude to, the HWLFF Foundation, founded by Dr. Ramona Probasco.
We also thank Shield Project founder Jill Montes, co-author of the HWLFF survivor handbook and director of HWLFF, for her year-long research and ongoing dedication to supporting survivors and families nationwide.

Emergency Hotlines & National Resources

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline — 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TTY); www.thehotline.org

  • Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Child Protection & Custody — 800-527-3223; www.rcdvcpc.org

  • National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — 303-839-8459; www.ncadv.org

  • National Center for Victims of Crime — 202-467-8700; www.ncvc.org

  • National Organization for Victim Assistance — 800-TRY-NOVA; www.trynova.org

  • VAWnet – National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women — www.vawnet.org

  • National Resource Center on Domestic Violence — 800-537-2238; www.nrcdv.org

  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center — 877-739-3895; www.nsvrc.org

State & Local Support

Counseling & Mental-Health Support

Legal Aid & Rights Information

Additional & Specialized Support

Digital Safety & Mobile Apps

Sexual-Violence & Assault Resources

  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — 800-656-HOPE (4673); www.rainn.org

Family & Parenting Resources

Inclusive & Demographic-Specific Support

For Men

For LGBTQ+ Individuals

For Immigrant Women

For Teens

Help for Abusive Partners

We will continue to expand this list as additional trusted partners and survivor-focused organizations are identified.

Learn more about our mission on the About page, or support our work by visiting the Donate page.

  • Links to California family-court self-help centers, pro bono legal clinics, and survivor-friendly court-escort or advocacy programs.

  • National DV Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Resources | Local crisis and shelter numbers.

  • Trauma-informed therapy and survivor-focused mental-health resources; includes county mental-health access lines and tele-therapy options.

  • Rental-relief, emergency-fund, and transitional-housing programs for women and children leaving abuse situations.

  • Guides to restraining orders, custody procedures, and survivor education workshops.

Join the Movement: Stay in Touch for Updates

Explore our full list of survivor resources on our Resources page.
Learn more about our mission on the About page.

Have questions, ideas, or simply want to get involved? Reach out today and discover how your voice and talents can accelerate meaningful change.

Stay Informed — The Shield Project in Action

Join The Shield Project community and be part of a growing national network of survivors, advocates, and allies.

By staying connected, you’ll receive updates on our programs, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support reform in the family-court system.

Whether you’re ready to take action or simply want to learn more, your voice and presence matter.

Together, we protect, educate, and empower — building a safer, more informed future for every family.

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