National Domestic Violence Hotline

For nearly 20 years, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (the Hotline) has been operating as a 24/7 lifeline for victims and survivors of domestic violence nationwide. The Hotline provides crisis intervention, counseling, safety planning, referrals, and hope to domestic violence victims and survivors. 

The Hotline has answered over 3.5 million calls, chats, and texts. The Hotline’s approximately 130 advocates receive almost 35,000 monthly contacts and have managed this high contact volume while ensuring quality services. Marketed to millions through public outreach, the Hotline has assembled a comprehensive database with thousands of referral resources, influenced policies and practices in victim services, and much more. 

Focused on answering contacts with compassion, the Hotline helps survivors see options for next steps, and connects them to immediate sources of practical help. The Hotline recognized that teens and young adults wanted and needed a place to talk to peers about their experiences of dating abuse in a format with which they were comfortable. 

The Hotline launched the “loveisrespect” project in 2007 to meet this need. In addition to the availability of 24/7 phone, chat, and SMS text helplines designed to meet the specific needs of young adults, loveisrespect works to grow the next generation of anti-violence advocates. Loveisrespect mobilizes parents, educators, peers, and victims to raise awareness about healthy dating behaviors and unhealthy and abuse patterns in relationships. 

In 2014 alone, loveisrespect provided services to 41,970 youth and young adults. Hotline advocates receive extensive training to ensure each person is treated with respect and is provided with life-saving strategies tailored to each victim’s situation. 

Upon hire, all staff complete 60 hours of training on domestic violence and related issues that advocates encounter. The Hotline strengthens its services by expanding training opportunities to ensure cultural competency. 

The Hotline works with organizations such as the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Polaris Project, National Runaway Safeline, Institute on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health, and other related organizations to ensure that advocates are prepared and equipped to provide the highest quality services for all communities. In 2015, the Hotline opened an office in Washington, DC, establishing a base from which to advocate for polices that protect and support survivors and to house new digital advocates who will help ease the workload of the employees in Texas.