Press Releases
02/14/2020
LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ & STATE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT 24/7 HOTLINE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Help is available in 10+ languages via call, text, email, or web chat
(HARTFORD, CT) – Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection officials are shining a spotlight on a recently upgraded confidential statewide hotline that provides domestic violence victims with extensive information, safety planning, counseling, and case management, as well as referrals to local organizations and community resources.
Survivors or anyone looking for guidance about how to help someone experiencing domestic violence can contact Safe Connect 24/7, 365 days a year via:
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Voice Call/Text: (888) 774-2900;
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Email: safeconnect@ctcadv.org;
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or Web Chat.
“In 2019, 11 women and three men in Connecticut were victims of intimate partner homicide and 14 people have been killed per year on average since 2000,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “We want to ensure that all victims of domestic violence know that we care about their wellbeing and we want them to empower them to get the help they deserve. Safe Connect a very helpful tool that strengthens access to the many lifesaving resources available across Connecticut.”
According to DESPP’s annual Family Violence Arrest Report published in June of 2019, in 2018, law enforcement were called to nearly 17,000 incidents of family violence across Connecticut.
“Domestic violence on all levels continues to be a serious problem for law enforcement across Connecticut,” said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Commissioner James Rovella. “Adding Safe Connect provides another layer of protection that will help police in every community prevent further domestic violence. We are so fortunate to have partners like CCADV standing next to all law enforcement in the state of Connecticut.”
With nearly 40,000 victims of domestic violence in Connecticut seeking help each year, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) launched Safe Connect in November 2019 in order to streamline the many existing points of access for victims and survivors into one comprehensive, coordinated triage and response to domestic violence through a platform that is bilingual and bi-cultural.
“Given a number of recent intimate partner homicides and near deaths, and recognizing that domestic violence can be incredibly isolating for its victims, we want to ensure that victims and survivors know that they do not have to go through this alone,” said Karen Jarmoc, chief executive officer, CCADV. “CCADV recently launched our newest project, Safe Connect, which is a comprehensive, statewide, coordinated triage and response to domestic violence in Connecticut. Serving as Connecticut’s domestic violence resource hub, multicultural, bilingual advocates are available by phone, text, chat, and email 24/7 to discuss immediate safety needs, identify resources that can help, connect survivors with their local domestic violence organization for ongoing support and services, or just to listen.”
Advocacy Coordinators have been busy developing their skills answering calls, texts, chats and emails. They have answered many challenging and difficult calls and have been navigating them very well. Advocacy Coordinators are providing safety planning, counseling, and referrals to member programs and other community partners and organizations. To date, 1,856 contacts with victims via phone (1,820), chat (20), Text (12) and email (4).
“Always, always, our focus is on what will work best for victims and survivors of domestic violence,” said Mary-Jane Foster, President and CEO of Interval House. “Safe Connect provides maximum options for victims to communicate most safely and, most efficiently connect to the services and resources they need. This model increases access and response tailored to the needs of those we serve. All of Connecticut’s 18 domestic violence agencies are engaged in raising awareness of Safe Connect and the access it provides to necessary and vital services.”
To be successful in this endeavor, CCADV has built a team of highly compassionate, bilingual and multicultural individuals who are reflective of the communities they serve.
Cultural backgrounds:
African - Kenya, Senegal
Caribbean - Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico
Central American - Guatemala
South American - Ecuador
Southeast Asian – India
Other languages spoken:
French
Hindi
Portuguese
Tagalog
Wolof
Haitian Creole
Patois
Swahili
Urdu
Safe Connect is confidential, safe, free and completely voluntary.
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Contact
Juliemar Ortiz
Press Secretary
O: 860-524-7346
C: 860.278.6809