New domestic violence hotline is first to offer texting, live online chatting

The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence launched a revamped hotline system Monday, the first in the state to offer texting, live online chatting and email services available in any language.

“We’re collapsing [almost 20] domestic violence hotlines into one centralized point of contact,” said coalition CEO Karen Jarmoc.

In the past year, Connecticut residents made more than 33,000 calls total to the state domestic violence hotline, the hotlines of the coalition’s member organizations and a Spanish-language hotline. The consolidation aims to reduce confusion about which hotline to call, as well as increase efficiency so survivors of domestic violence can get help faster.

Jarmoc expects that even more people will reach out to the new Safe Connect because it offers email, live online chatting and texting services in addition to taking phone calls. All the free and confidential services are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

“No hotline has had texting or live-chatting before,” she said. “This is a brand new push. ... Survivors need to have more options, particularly those who do not speak English.”

Of the 26 certified domestic violence counselors who take calls and messages, about 20 speak both English and Spanish. Their cultural backgrounds span 10 countries and four continents. If the counselors receive a message in an unfamiliar language, they can use software that will automatically translate the message into English and then translate their reply from English to the original language.

“The role of the [counselor] is to have a conversation," Jarmoc said. “Domestic violence looks different in every situation. Some people are facing housing issues, others may be dealing with violence related to drug addiction and others might have problems with childcare.”

Following the conversation, the counselor can contact the survivor’s closest domestic violence organization and share the person’s story with a local representative so they can begin working together.

“We’re always looking to make a warm handoff,” Jarmoc said. “We’re not just going to tell people to go call somewhere else.”

The Safe Connect launch comes two years after the coalition formed a task force to restructure the hotline system. Jarmoc said they spent that time meeting with survivors of domestic abuse, counselors and advocates, asking how the system can better serve survivors and their families.

“[Safe Connect] is not just for crisis situations,” she said. “This is for everyone: family, friends, even employers who are looking for more information about the signs of domestic violence.”

To access Safe Connect, visit www.CTSafeConnect.org, email safeconnect@ctcadv.org or call or text 1-(888) 774-2900.

Amanda Blanco can be reached at ablanco@courant.com.

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