PHOENIX — A centralized hotline available for victims of domestic violence in Maricopa and Pinal counties is no longer available.
The Safe DVS, a centralized call center that victims previously could call to access shelter information, legal help, and the reassurance of those who are able to help survivors, is closing May 15.
The Safe DVS allowed survivors to get all of the information they might need in just one phone call. Now, they will have to individually call shelters, legal aid lines, and confidential advocates.
“Now, instead of calling the one line where they can see all of the available beds, now it will be calling each of the shelters again to see if there’s availability,” said Co-Executive Director with the Sojourner Center Bailey Deroest.
Officials with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence told 12News the hotline is shutting down for several reasons, including a loss in funding.
According to the CEO of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Jenna Panas, the hotline was funded through American Rescue Plan Funds that went to the city of Phoenix.
Another reason is a perception that the hotline isn’t serving its original purpose: serving as a central funnel of information to refer victims to shelter and services.
But advocates like Tanner Swanson, marketing director at New Leaf, the organization that helped run the hotline until about two years ago, worry that the closure will make an already unsafe situation that many survivors find themselves in worse.
“Anytime that you’re reaching out, that’s the most dangerous time for a survivor, is when someone’s trying to exit that situation,” Swanson said. “If you double, triple, seven times the amount of time that they have to spend seeking help, that just increases your risk of getting caught.”
The Safe DVS will only be available to people who are already on the waiting list, but experts say there are still options for those in need.
“If you are in a safe situation, but you want to talk to someone, or you need to discuss it, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline and let them help you figure out what the next step is for you, and then if you are ready to take that step towards shelter or court advocacy or securing court ordered protection or some other sort of service,” Swanson said.
If you or anyone you know is in a domestic violence situation, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233 (SAFE).
The Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Hotline is 602-279-2980 or text 520-720-3383.
For help at New Life Domestic Violence in Arizona, call 623-932-4404
Go here for more local resources and shelters.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere, thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.