Need help? No one available?
Out of urgency and desperation you call the domestic violence hotline not once but numerous times without successfully reaching a live person, instead you hear a recording that no one is currently available or we’re experiencing a high volume of calls at this time, if this is an emergency please hang up and call 911.
Too many in crisis domestic violence, suicidal sufferers and at-risk callers have contacted Screaming Quietly Out Loud, seeking alternative assistance options. Those who were able to reach a service provider expressed frustration for having to hold on for extended periods of time before their urgent need was addressed, some we forced to end the call because the abuser was back in the house or woke up and may have heard the caller on the phone. Callers connected to a live representative without extended waiting periods reported the representative suggesting that they call local agencies for assistance. “Remember, I’m in a crisis situation,” is what one woman said to me as she described her hotline interaction.
While numerous DV callers have had outstanding interactions with live assistant personnel, others have felt rushed to covey their situation so the live assistant could address the next incoming call.
Shocked and frightened by what I was hearing, I called the hotline and immediately received the recorded message therefore, I began calling local agencies, only to receive the same or similar recorded messages.
There must be a better solution to this problem. In defense of the National Domestic Violence hotline and other national hotlines dedicated to Domestic Violence, Rape Crisis, and Mental Health Interventions, statewide and throughout the country, these programs and shelters are experiencing less funding from the government and multiple business resources. Private donations have drastically decreased as the country deals with the rising cost of living. The decreased funding coupled with an increase demand for services creates an exorbitant gap in services available to those often-facing life-threatening situations. Programs desperately needing legal advocates and qualified crisis intervention counselors have resorted to seeking individuals who are willing to volunteer their services and their time, yet the need for assistance far exceeds the number of volunteers needed to monitor a 24 hour, 7 days weekly, 365 days annually hotline.
In the event of an emergency please call 911. Those who have non-police involved situations or you prefer not to contact the police please refer to: www.screamingquietlyoutloud for a list of crisis intervention agencies or search for local agencies, state, and county specific.
Once you have located the (in case of emergency) numbers and you have reached someone who is able to provide the assistance needed, I suggest you add that agency’s contact information to your mobile phone.
I have my (in case of emergency) information listed under ICE TEA.
For further Domestic Violence information contact:
www.screamingquietlyoutloud
We will continue to provide updated information regarding this and other pertinent matters.
If you or someone you know needs Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault assistance, contact RAINN 1-800-656- HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence hotline 1-800-799-7233.
Screaming Quietly Out Loud (SQOL) is a Maryland based organization, a list of (DMV) DC, Maryland and Virginia Help Centers are available on this site.
