Please call 911 if there is an immediate risk for harm or an emergency
For suicide intervention, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to get help by phone at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) Toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours a day.
To report a sexual assault, Call 911 or contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) to speak with a trained sexual assault service provider in your area.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that on average, 20 people per minute are abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Victims of domestic and sexual violence can be found within each demographic, regardless of race, religion, gender identity or socioeconomic status. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience intimate partner violence.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7. Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or TTY 1.800.787.3224. The National Domestic Violence Hotline en Español. Visit the website to chat with a live Domestic Violence Advocate.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides access to resources including:
Familiarize yourself with some of the warning signs:
- Telling you that you never do anything right.
- Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
- Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with friends, family members, or peers.
- Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
- Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
- Controlling finances in the household without discussion, including taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
- Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
- Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
- Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.
- Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
- Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
- Destroying your belongings or your home.
Follow The National Domestic Violence Hotline on Facebook
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Follow The National Domestic Hotline on Instagram
Subscribe to The National Domestic Violence Hotline onYouTube
Some of the tactics that may be used by abusers during the pandemic:
- Abusive partners may withhold necessary items, such as hand sanitizer or disinfectants.
- Abusive partners may share misinformation about the pandemic to control or frighten survivors, or to prevent them from seeking appropriate medical attention if they have symptoms.
- Abusive partners may withhold insurance cards, threaten to cancel insurance, or prevent survivors from seeking medical attention if they need it.
- Programs that serve survivors may be significantly impacted –- shelters may be full or may even stop intakes altogether. Survivors may also fear entering shelter because of being in close quarters with groups of people.
- Survivors who are older or have chronic heart or lung conditions may be at increased risk in public places where they would typically get support, like shelters, counseling centers, or courthouses.
- Travel restrictions may impact a survivor’s escape or safety plan – it may not be safe for them to use public transportation or to fly.
- An abusive partner may feel more justified and escalate their isolation tactics.
Visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline to speak with a Domestic Violence Advocate and create a Safety Plan.
Visit WomensLaw.Org for resources on civil courts, protection orders and custody questions in your state during the pandemic.
Safe Horizon is the nation’s leading victim assistance organization. Our mission is to provide support, prevent violence, and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities.
Additional Resources:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health
Administration for Children and Families Family Violence Prevention and Services Program
WomensLaw.org: Serves All Survivors Regardless of Sex or Gender Identity
Helping Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Child Sexual Abuse
