AT LEAST 10 states operate toll-free, 24-hour domestic violence hot lines for residents. Many include services for people who speak Spanish or who have impaired hearing. These hot line numbers include the following:
Arkansas (800) 332-4443
Indiana (800) 332-7385
New Hampshire (800) 852-3388
New Jersey (800) 572-7233
New York (800) 942-6906 (English) (800) 942-6908 (Spanish)
Nevada (800) 992-5757
North Dakota (800) 472-2911
Oklahoma (800) 522-SAFE
Texas (800) 252-5400
Washington (800) 562-6025.
(Source: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Denver, Colo.)
In an emergency, women are advised to call the police and/or 911, and to continue calling if no police officer or other official responds right away. For nonemergencies, the National Council on Safe Families provides counseling and referrals to domestic violence services anywhere in the country. Information is available 24 hours a day through My Sister's Place, Yonkers, NY, at (914) 969-5800.
Also, the National Council on Child Abuse and Family