Freedom is possible

“I think I’m in a relationship where there are issues of power and control.
 I may need help. I may need to end this relationship.”

We’re here to help. Call SafeHaven’s hotline at 1-877-701-7233.  

Calling the hotline doesn’t mean you have to end your relationship, come to shelter, or even come in for services at all.  If you don’t know where to start, call the hotline.  If you want to plan your exit, call the hotline.  If you’re ready to exit and need help, call the hotline.  It’s free and available 24/7/365 - answered by professionally trained, bilingual staff – not volunteers. 

Safety planning is an important part of leaving an abusive relationship.  You can use the document below to safety plan, but know that safety planning works best when you work through it with a hotline advocate. While you know your relationship best and we trust that, we’ve also worked with thousands of survivors and can enhance your safety plan in the ways that work for you. 

“I think a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker is in an abusive relationship.

What can I do?
What should I do?”

When a victim of domestic violence opens up about her relationship, it’s our first instinct to want to help. But sometimes our need to react can be hurtful. Here are some guidelines to follow if you find yourself in a position where you want to best support a victim of intimate partner violence. 

  1.  First and foremost, listen. It takes a lot of courage and strength to offer an outcry, so it’s important that outcry is met with a listening ear and an open heart.  

  2. Believe the victim. Often abusers can be charming and charismatic, and it can be hard to believe that someone seemingly good can do such bad things. It is not your role to be an investigator and search for “evidence” of the abuse. It is your role to listen and believe.  

  3. Don’t blame the victim. Our culture has a common phrase we learn as children: It takes two to tango. In relationships marred by violence, it only takes one. There is nothing that justifies abuse, so don’t ask the victim what her role was in the incident. She already feels shame, and questioning her contribution only makes it worse.  

  4. Offer unconditional support—even when the victims chooses to stay in the abusive relationship. Often, our gut instinct is to think, “If I were here, I’d just leave!” Victims know their abusers best, and, likewise, know how to navigate their relationship best. It takes most victims between six and nine attempts to leave their abuser before that separation is permanent. Don’t judge. Remind her that her leaving the relationship is not a condition of your support. 

  5. Keep it confidential. The victim has confided in you because they trust you. Speaking out and revealing information may hurt the victim.  

  6. Call us with questions. SafeHaven operates Tarrant County’s only domestic violence hotline and has trained, bilingual advocates who answer the phones 24/7. Remember, your role as a confidant is crucial, but it's important to involve professionals who are trained to handle domestic violence cases. Encourage your friend to connect with local resources that can offer specialized support and guidance tailored to their specific needs.

    The hotline number is 1-877-701-7233.