Hotlines

If a person is in immediate danger of physical harm, they should always call 911 or their local police emergency number.

Many times, however, survivors are looking for assistance and support without being in imminent danger. A hotline is a good resource for such instances. Hotlines are 24 hour numbers that are staffed by trained counselors. The counselors can provide emotional support, assistance with finding emergency shelter, safety planning, and information about legal options. Survivors can call anonymously and confidentially, although hotline counselors are also mandated reporters.

Hotlines can also be resources for other service providers. The trained counselors can act as consultants in domestic violence cases and assist service providers with understanding how to best help a client dealing with violence. Although it may be initially helpful for you to offer to contact these numbers on behalf of your client when shelter is being sought, the program staff will usually need to speak with the survivor directly in order to best assess their ability to meet the needs of the family or individual and to explain the program requirements.

There are several hotline options in Massachusetts that specialize in domestic violence issues:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-SAFE provides safety planning, information, emotional support, and referrals to local domestic violence programs. They can assist a survivor with finding shelter nationally.

Safelink - 1-877-785-2020 (TTY: 1-877-521-2601) is a Massachusetts-wide hotline. It provides safety planning, emotional support, and referrals to local domestic violence programs. They can also assist a survivor with finding shelter within Massachusetts.

Local domestic violence hotlines are operated by local domestic violence programs throughout Massachusetts. See the next page for more information on this option.

The Network for Battered Lesbians - 1-617-423-SAFE is a Massachusetts-based program specializing in the unique needs of lesbians dealing with a violent partner.

The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Program - 1-800-832-1901 is a Massachusetts-based program specializing in the unique needs of gay men dealing with a violent partner.