Hotlines/Resources

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

• 24/7 PHONE SUPPORT

  Trained advocates are available to take your calls through our toll free, 24/7 hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

• LIVE CHAT SERVICES

  Live chat is another option for getting real-time, one-on-one support. Available every day from 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM Central.

• COMPASSIONATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

  We’re here to help, and your safety is our top priority. All calls and chats are completely confidential.

National Human Trafficking Resource Center

Need help? United States: 1 (888) 373-7888

SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO")

Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages

Website: traffickingresourcecenter.org

Below are several organizations that offer information and resources for girls/women facing a variety of abusive, self-harm and dangerous situations.  For a more comprehensive list of resources, visit: http://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/hotlines

The Warning Signs of Domestic Violence

While every relationship is different, survivors of domestic violence have identified common characteristics and behaviors of abusive partners. Knowing the warning signs can help you to avoid abusive relationships or identify abuse and get help for yourself or a friend/family member sooner. 

If you recognize any of the warning signs below, consider calling the Family Wellness Program or one of the hotlines listed at the bottom of this page. 

1. Extreme jealousy – when one partner wants to know who the other is with and what they are doing at all times, doesn’t trust them and might even accuse them of cheating for no good reason. 

2. Isolation – when one partner wants the other all to him/herself, tries to cut them off from friends, family, and activities – might even insist they quit their job or school. 

3. Controlling behavior – when one partner tries to control the other by telling them what to do, how to dress, who to hang out with – or manipulates them into doing what they want. 

4. Fast-moving relationship – when a partner who comes on very strong, is an extreme “smooth talker” and wants to make major commitments very early in the relationship. 

5. Blaming – when one partner always seems to blame the other for his/her own behavior – “You made me do this.” 

6. History of abusive behavior – if someone has ever been abusive to a current or ex partner, a child or an animal; it is unlikely they will change without help. 

7. Moodiness – someone with a “Jeckyl and Hyde” personality. 

8. Put-downs – when one partner is constantly criticizing the other, putting them down and making them feel badly about themselves. 

9. Entitlement – when someone believes they are entitled to be in charge or be catered to, because of gender or other reasons. 

10. Intimidation and threats – when one partner uses threats or intimidating body language, punches walls or breaks things to intimidate the other.

How can I get out of an abusive relationship?

The National Domestic Violence Hotline suggests the following steps and precautions for preparing to, and leaving an abusive relationship:

Do not, under any circumstances, alert the abuser that you are going to leave, that you want a divorce, or that you are taking the kids. Even if your partner has never laid a hand on you before, announcing that you are leaving is often the trigger to pushing an abusive person over the edge. More important than the other person’s feelings, or what other people will say or think about you, is your own personal safety. You come first.

Your heart may tell you that you’re being mean, cold, or insensitive; but your gut is telling you that you need to get out. 

Follow your gut and deal with your heart another time.

1. Preparing To Leave:

• Keep any evidence of physical abuse, such as pictures of injuries.

• Keep a journal of all violent incidences, noting dates, events and threats made, if possible. Keep your journal in a safe place.

• Know where you can go to get help. Tell someone what is happening to you.

• If you are injured, go to a doctor or an emergency room and report what happened to you. Ask that they document your visit.

• Plan with your children and identify a safe place for them, like a room with a lock or a friend’s house where they can go for help. Reassure them that their job is to stay safe, not to protect you.

• Contact your local shelter and find out about laws and other resources available to you before you have to use them during a crisis. WomensLaw.org has state by state legal information.

• Acquire job skills or take courses at a community college as you can

• Try to set money aside or ask friends or family members to hold money for you.

2. Leaving the Abusive Relationship: If you must leave in a hurry, use the following list as a guide. 

Remember, your safety is the most important thing.

Identification:

• Driver’s license

• Birth certificate and children’s birth certificates

• Social security cards

• Financial information

• Money and/or credit cards (in your name)

• Checking and/or savings account books

Legal Papers:

• Protective order

• Copies of any lease or rental agreements, or the deed to your home

• Car registration and insurance papers

• Health and life insurance papers

• Medical records for you and your children

• School records

• Work permits/green Card/visa

• Passport

• Divorce and custody papers

• Marriage license

Emergency Numbers:

• Your local police and/or sheriff’s department

• Your local domestic violence program or shelter

• Friends, relatives and family members

• Your local doctor’s office and hospital

• County and/or District Attorney’s Office

Other:

• Medications

• Extra set of house and car keys

• Valuable jewelry

• Pay-as-you-go cell phone

• Address book

• Pictures and sentimental items

• Several changes of clothes for you and your children

• Emergency money

 3. After you Leave:

• Change your locks and phone number.

• Call the telephone company to request caller ID. Ask that your phone number be blocked so that if you call anyone, neither your partner nor anyone else will be able to get your new, unlisted phone number.

• Change your work hours and the route you take to work.

• Change the route taken to transport children to school or consider changing your children’s schools.

• Alert school authorities of the situation.

• If you have a restraining order, keep a certified copy of it with you at all times, and inform friends, neighbors and employers that you have a restraining order in effect.

• Call law enforcement to enforce the order and give copies of the restraining order to employers, neighbors and schools along with a picture of the offender.

• Consider renting a post office box or using the address of a friend for your mail (be aware that addresses are on restraining orders and police reports, and be careful to whom you give your new address and phone number).

• Reschedule appointments that the offender is aware of.

• Use different stores and frequent different social spots.

• Alert neighbors and request that they call the police if they feel you may be in danger.

• Replace wooden doors with steel or metal doors. Install security systems if possible.

• Install a motion sensitive lighting system.

• Tell people you work with about the situation and have your calls screened by one receptionist if possible.

• Tell people who take care of your children or drive them/pick them up from school and activities. Explain your situation to them and provide them with a copy of the restraining order.