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Emergency Shelter
A safe haven complete with housing, food, and personalized care.
What we provide:
Emergency shelter at My Sister’s House means a moment of refuge
and rest for our clients fleeing domestic violence.
Who we serve:
If you are 18 +, live in the Lowcountry area, and have experienced intimate partner violence, we offer support to you and your dependents.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. Intimate partner refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners. IPV can include any of the following types of behavior: physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression.
Additional questions? Learn more in our FAQs.
Our process:
Call our Crisis Hotline
Connect and share experiences
Develop coping and survival skills
Our
approach
to care
We meet our Lowcountry clients where they are — with honesty, respect, and compassion — helping you move forward one step at a time.
Once you’re in a safe place, our case management team will help you plan your next steps and connect you with helpful resources both inside and outside our organization.
Legal Advocacy
Support navigating the legal system—before, during, and after court.
What we provide:
Our clients don’t have to face the legal system alone. An advocate can offer support and guidance every step of the way.
Who we serve:
If you’re 18 + and have experienced intimate partner violence, we provide free support to guide you through the legal process.
Additional questions? Learn more in our FAQs.
Our process:
Call to request services and review
Meet with a court advocate
Receive services or legal referrals
Our
approach
to legal care
Our court advocates are experienced in survivor-centered legal advocacy, but are not lawyers.
In civil and criminal courts, we work with survivors, attorneys, and court staff to advocate for clients and ensure access to legal resources that can help protect them throughout the process.
See below to learn more about the legal advocacy services we offer.
Legal Case Management
Hands-on guidance throughout the legal process, including assistance with paperwork, deadlines, and ensuring you understand the next steps.
Attorney Referral Coordination
Get connected with qualified legal professionals, including both pro bono and private attorneys who have experience handling domestic violence cases.
Court Accompaniment
Advocates accompany clients to hearings to offer emotional support, explain the process,
and help them make informed decisions on the spot.
Protective Order Drafting and Filing
Assistance with Orders of Protection, Restraining Orders, and associated filings
Process Serving Faciliation
Coordination of document service in compliance with legal standards and court timelines.
Weekly Legal Consultation Clinics
In collaboration with South Carolina Legal Services, My Sister’s House facilitates a free weekly virtual legal clinic. Survivors may engage directly with attorneys to receive procedural guidance and assess legal pathways specific to domestic violence-related issues.
FAQ
How much do your programs cost?
All of our services are free to clients residing in the Lowcountry area.
Do you provide services for all genders?
Yes.
Do you require a police report to access services?
No, we do not require a police report
to access services.
Do I need to be an emergency shelter client to receive legal services?
No. We assist shelter clients and people across our county service areas.
How many beds are available for
emergency shelter?
We do not publish numbers of open beds.
I need legal services. What do you offer?
We provide legal case management, court accompaniment, protective order drafting and filing, attorney referral coordination, and process serving facilitation.
Do you provide emergency shelter for anyone at any time?
No. We take each call or message and work with the victim and referring partner to assess critical need for shelter and develop individualized next steps, which may or may not include emergency shelter care.
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Clients must be 18 and older and reside in the Lowcountry area.
I need a lawyer. Does My Sister’s House provide represenation?
Our advocates do not provide legal representation, but we connect survivors with pro bono legal services when possible.