National Domestic Violence Hotline

Each month, 19,500 domestic violence victims, their families and friends across the U.S. are provided with crisis intervention, referrals to local services and information in 170 languages, 24 hours a day. 800-799-7233; 800-787-3224 (TTY).

How do you help people in my community?

The National Domestic Violence Hotline serves as an invaluable resource to victims of family violence, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with bilingual staff, a TTY line for the hearing impaired and access to 150 languages. The Hotline is an unduplicated service across the United States, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin islands. Using a massive database listing more than 5,000 services nationally, advocates are able to put callers in touch immediately with programs offering shelter and direct care in their community. Should the victim need to flee a greater distance to a safer community, the Hotline can help identify resources in any community in the United States. Advocates are also trained in helping victims prepare a safety plan, preparing them to leave their violent relationship. Advocates will also often help the victim to arrange for transportation in extremely critical moments and will stay on the phone until assistance is secured.

Why do you need my support?

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is experiencing a continuous increase in volume of calls received as the Hotline number continues to be advertised. We want to ensure that no calls for help go unanswered. Unfortunately, the Hotline is not currently equipped with adequate staff and resources to handle such an increase in call volume, and the high call volume has led to an approximate 10 percent abandonment rate. Simply, this means that an average of 10 percent of callers hang up before an advocate is able to respond, equating to approximately 26,000 callers in 2002 alone who had their cries for help unanswered. We fear this abandonment rate is due largely to extended hold times, or even worse, busy signals, generated when call volume increases. We are seeking support from across the nation, from those who value women, children and safe communities.

Violence against women is not a problem that will be abolished through one source or avenue. It will take a community effort to make a stand that domestic violence can no longer occur. We hope you will join our efforts, and through increased visibility of the issue, an expanded community of support and social change will occur.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

Most of your contribution covers the costs of answering the phones, training our staff and volunteers, and maintaining our database of nearly 5,000 local domestic violence programs.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Volunteers at our headquarters in Austin, Texas help answer Hotline calls and update the database after completing a 40 hour training. To volunteer, call us at 512-453-8117.

Outside Austin, you can help us raise awareness in your community. We also encourage people to volunteer for their local domestic violence programs. To request materials or to find the local program closest to you, call us at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY at 1-800-787-3224. You may also visit our web site at  www.ndvh.org.