Hotline numbers - Domestic Violence, Suicide, etc.

[m_t]

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE 800.799.SAFE (7233)

I posted this in Phoenix's thread, but think it should stand by itself, too.

I work with this population. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence I urge you to get to a safe place and call 911 at the next incident. Then it's essential to FOLLOW THROUGH with police recommendations ... go to court and get an Emergency Order of Protection (some courts have advocates on hand to help with that, others don't); always attend court hearings and press charges. If you need emergency shelter, the hotline worker will connect you with an agency close enough to your home that will help you. Specialized counseling helps empower victims so they can get out of the abuser's control ... DV  agencies offer that, free of charge in most cases.

The problem with so many victims is they're afraid to press charges. Then their abusers go free because the police can't keep them UNLESS the victim has been severely injured and the police charge the abuser with a criminal offense such as aggravated battery, raip (sp because the actual spelling isn't allowed here) or attempted homicide. Better to get a police report of DV (a crime, not a misdemeanor!) and have the charges stick before the victim gets badly hurt.

I hope those who are in this situation can find the strength to call for help. The hotline is there 24/7.
Please pass on this info to everyone you know. DV is on the increase due to added economic stress ... latest stats show that 1 in 3 families in the US have been or are currently affected by DV.
HELP STOP THE VIOLENCE!

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE 1-800-273-TALK

Are you in crisis? Please call 1-800-273-TALK
Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.

    * Call for yourself or someone you care about
    * Free and confidential
    * A network of more than 130 crisis centers nationwide
    * Available 24/7

NATIONAL DRUG HELP HOTLINE 1-800-662-4357

NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG DEPENDENCE HOPELINE 1-800-622-2255

NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE, 1-800-4-A-CHILD

[m_t]

If you have additional hotline numbers and/or a blurb similar to what Enigma wrote for the DV one, please feel free to PM me with the info and I will add it. I'd prefer to keep this thread clean, w/o a load of commentary so that it's easy to find the relevant info. Thanks.

(ETA) Please also send me links you feel may be useful, even if they are of a less emergent type. I will place those in a separate post in this thread.

m_t

[m_t]

Additional useful resources:

http://www.womenslaw.org/

This site has a wealth of legal information by topic and state - restraining orders, protection from abuse, hotline numbers, etc.


www.deltabravo.net

This site is targeted at fathers, but has a lot of good, solid info and resources for anyone going through a custody battle.


http://www.freecycle.org/

For those who need things and have things to offer others. It's all free


http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

For those who have low to no income and are in need of food

[m_t]

Info on stalking...

http://www.ncvc.org/src/main.aspx?dbID=DB_statistics195#what