Do this now
- If you’re in danger right now, call 911. If you can’t talk, you may be able to text 911.
- Get to a safer place if you can — a room with a way out, a neighbor’s home, or a public place. Avoid rooms with weapons, like the kitchen.
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. It’s free and confidential.
- Use a phone or computer the person hurting you can’t check, and clear your browser history.
- Tell someone you trust what’s happening, and agree on a code word that means “call for help.”
Call 911 if:
- You or your children are being hurt or threatened, or you are afraid for your life
- The person hurting you has a weapon or is threatening to use one
- You were hurt and need medical care
It’s not your fault
Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. It can include threats, controlling who you see or what you do, tracking your phone, or taking your money. No one deserves to be treated this way.
Make a safety plan
A safety plan is a personal plan for staying safer — whether you stay, are thinking of leaving, or have left. Hotline advocates can help you make one. Some steps people take:
- Keep important items in one place or with someone you trust: IDs, birth certificates, medicine, keys, some cash, and phone numbers written on paper.
- Know where you would go and how you would get there.
- Keep your phone charged, and know how to call 911 quickly.
- Teach children how and when to call 911.
Leaving can be the most dangerous time. An advocate can help you plan for it.
If you’re a child or teen
If someone at home is hurting you, tell a teacher, school counselor, doctor, or another adult you trust. Call 911 if you’re in danger.
See Crisis Support for more resources.