On today’s episode, we’re answering a question from local teens about calling a domestic violence hotline and what services Safe+Sound Somerset can provide over the phone.
This is Jessica Skultety, Community Outreach Associate at Safe+Sound Somerset. We are Somerset County, New Jersey's lead domestic violence response organization, providing services at no charge for survivors of dating and domestic abuse for over 40 years.
Today's question from local teens is: “Dear Ava, What happens when I call or text the Safe+Sound Somerset hotline?”
Are you concerned about a friend’s abusive relationship? Looking for free services for teens? Want to safety plan with our advocates via call or text? The Safe+Sound Somerset confidential, 24/7 hotline is available to you at 866-685-1122.
We receive between 2,000-4,000 calls and texts each year. Most of these calls are from survivors of dating or domestic abuse, and concerned family and friends. That’s between 6-10 calls or texts a day, though every day is different. Your call is important to us! And we want to make sure teens and adults know what to expect when they contact us. It's easier than it seems!
The Safe+Sound Somerset hotline is open 24 hours and 7 days a week. Trained Hotline Advocates will answer and work with you over the phone. They listen to each caller’s situation and help explore paths forward. People in Somerset County contact us for information on dating and domestic violence and our free services, supportive listening, safety planning to stay in or leave a relationship, and in crisis. Some people find it helpful to talk to a trained professional who can listen and support you without already knowing you.
Our hotline is accessible via text or call. We also have a language line, which means we can communicate with anyone in any language. Everything you say is completely confidential (or private), and you can remain anonymous. You do not have to give your name unless you would like to, or if you will be using our other free services such as counseling or legal advocacy.
Both teens and adults can contact our hotline. If teens under 18 contact us, we do not notify parents. If you want to explore using some of our other free services, again like counseling or legal advocacy, you would need parental permission to move forward if you’re under 18. People over 18 do not need permission to use our services.
Some examples of questions we get sometimes are: “I’m not feeling safe in my relationship and I don’t know what to do,” or, "My partner just did this: is this healthy or unhealthy?" or, "My friend is feeling unsafe in their relationship – how do I help them?" Or, “Can you tell me more about your services?” Often, people call or text to discuss a family member or friend who might be experiencing abuse, too. The hotline is a safe, confidential, and easy way to get some answers.
When you call the hotline, staff will answer “Hi, can I help you?” We do not identify that we are a domestic violence hotline for safety and confidentiality. We ensure complete confidentiality or privacy of all matters discussed, unless there are reports of child abuse, elder abuse, suicidal or homicidal ideation. As with all other adults in New Jersey, we are mandated reporters, meaning that we are required by law to report these cases. Hotline staff informs all callers of these confidentiality limitations at the beginning of the call for complete transparency. We also will inform the caller if we determine that a call needs to be made.
If you text the hotline, you will get an automated response from Safe + Sound Somerset, explaining that we are mandated reporters. The text will ask you to verify if it’s safe to text you right now. Once you reply "yes," we will be able to communicate with you further. Your immediate safety is always our first concern, so we ask about this first.
Our Hotline Advocates will then ask a little bit about what’s going on to make sure that they are assisting you in the very best way. Based on the info you provide, we refer callers to resources available from Safe+Sound Somerset and those available within Somerset County or New Jersey.
We also provide supportive listening to those who need to talk through their experiences or find a starting point for moving forward. Our hotline is the portal to connecting domestic abuse and dating abuse victims and survivors to the services they need in order to thrive without abuse.
If you’re listening outside of Somerset County, NJ, you can call us and we will transfer you to your local domestic violence organization. Just know that there is always help and hope available.
To speak with an expert about dating violence, call or text the Safe+Sound Somerset 24/7 confidential hotline at 866-685-1122 for supportive listening, information, and safety planning.
Want to “Ask Ava” a question? Visit our website at www.safe-sound.org/ask-ava. Thank you for listening today. Join us next time here on Ask Ava.