Where can abuse victims get help?
Asked by Anonymous
Answered
04/20/2021
If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, please know you have a right to get help, and there are resources for you. In this post, I will discuss where to get help and how to obtain the resources you need.
Right away, I need to address the immediate danger. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Additionally, if the person you are concerned about is a child (someone under the age of 18) who is experiencing abuse, or you suspect they are experiencing abuse, please call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline will connect you to Child Protective Services in your state. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline can be reached by phone call or text at 1-800-4-A-CHILD or their website through chat: https://www.childhelp.org/childhelp-hotline/.
Resources
In this section, I am going to name some specific resources and then some broader references.
For domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can assist you. You may call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-HELP, or visit their website to chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at www.thehotline.com. The National Domestic Violence Hotline’s website also has an exit feature on every page, allowing you to easily click and be taken to google immediately if you are on a shared computer.
The United Way 2-1-1 free and confidential service helps people across North America find the local resources they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1, like 9-1-1, can be dialed from any phone number that has an American call code (beginning with a 1 and a three-digit area code). United Way provides resources for categories such as violence, food scarcity, and housing assistance.
Other organizations from which you may find assistance include:
National Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
www.loveisrespect.org
National Child Abuse Hotline/Childhelp
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
www.childhelp.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
www.rainn.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
National Center for Victims of Crime
1-202-467-8700
www.victimsofcrime.org
