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October Is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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October Is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

LaToya

Resources for Survivors During COVID-19

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience severe physical violence by their partners. In 2019, the NYPD responded to over 245,000 domestic violence incidents. Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life and includes intimate partner violence and family violence. 

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic presents a major challenge: While many people are staying at home to keep themselves safe, victims of domestic violence may be home with their abusers experiencing more social isolation than before. 

Safety planning tips for staying at home: 

Create a safety plan (see Safe Horizon’s Safety Plan Checklist here).

  • Tell children a safe place they can go to in the home if violence happens. 
  • If there is a safe spot in the home, hide a “go bag” with clothing, money, ID, and phone numbers. 

Stay connected with family and friends. 

  • Have daily check-ins with your support system. 
  • Develop code words with your support system should a perpetrator have access to your phone, social media, computer, etc. 

Get help. See the list of resources below and know that there is help a phone call away 24/7. Call 911 if it is an emergency. 

See more helpful tips from the New York City Anti-Violence Project’s (AVP) webpage: Some Tips For When Staying Home Isn’t the Safest. 

Resources: 

Safe Horizon 

If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, NYCHA’s partner, Safe Horizon, is here for you.  

Safe Horizon operates NYC’s 24-hour hotline in English and Spanish at 800-621-HOPE (4673). You can also chat with a Safe Horizon advocate, who can offer information, advocacy, and support through SafeChat, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The latest information on hours and how to access this service is available here. 

Safe Horizon is available to help you explore options, including applying for an emergency transfer. 

The Community Program Helpline is open and answering calls, checking voicemail messages several times a day, and responding to messages. 

If you are seeking help, you can contact the Safe Horizon Community Program Helpline at 855-234-1042. For more information, visit www.safehorizon.org. 

Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence 

The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence operates the Family Justice Centers (FJC), which provide help with immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, mental health support, legal support, and other resources. While the FJC physical locations are temporarily closed due to the pandemic, they remain available by phone, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

  • Bronx: 718-508-1220 
  • Brooklyn: 718-250-5113 
  • Manhattan: 212-602-2800 
  • Queens: 718-575-4545 
  • Staten Island: 718-697-4300 

During evenings and weekends, call NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-4673 (800-621-4673; TTY: 866-604-5350), or visit the NYC HOPE Resource Directory online at www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE. 

You can also: 

WomanKind 

WomanKind provides multilingual and culturally responsive services to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual violence. It operates a free, 24-hour multilingual helpline at 888-888-7702 with representatives who speak English, Spanish, and more than 18 Asian languages and dialects, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taglog, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Vietnamese.  

WomanKind has a new chat and text helpline available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chat with an advocate in English or Chinese by visiting https://www.iamwomankind.org/ and clicking on the chat icon on the bottom right of the screen. 

Text Womankind for help in: 
English: 929-207-5907 
Chinese: 929-207-5901 

Sanctuary for Families 

New Yorkers experiencing domestic violence and other forms of abuse can still secure orders of protections despite COVID-19 court closings. Call Sanctuary’s free legal helpline at 212-349-6009 x246 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and visit https://sanctuaryforfamilies.org/get-help/. 

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 through phone at 800-799-SAFE (7233), TTY 1.800.787.3224, or chat at https://www.thehotline.org/.