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Domestic Violence and Texting

Text offers domestic violence hotlines a new method for survivors and victims to privately and safely request help. Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury and death to American women. It is estimated that 50 percent of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence. Children under the age of 12 reside in 43 percent of households in which domestic violence is reported. Violence in the home is a major factor contributing to the growth of reports of child abuse and neglect. No one ever deserves to be abused, especially within the context of an intimate relationship; all individuals should have the opportunity to exercise their right to define their personal relationships and spaces as violence-free zones. Domestic violence text hotlines are needed to help increase access to resources like shelters, women and child protective services, and other DV systems of care. Research shows that women are more likely to seek help when they can text instead of call. In a poll conducted by WIC, over 95% of young moms own a cell phone and would choose to keep their cell phone activated over all other possessions. Over 97% said they text everyday. Generation Ys have come to expect social services be available via sms. PreventionPays Text now makes it possible for domestic violence hotlines to augment their phone support with enterprise level two-way texting. Domestic violence service providers know that victims and survivors are often facing very dangerous situations where their lives may be under imminent threat. Making a voice call could increase their risk. The unique nature of sms enables victims to be in close proximity to their perpetrator (even in the same room) and still be able to send texts without that person knowing. Helping DV victims was one of the inciting factors behind the FCC pursuing agreements with the major mobile carriers to enable texting to 911. Research Shows Texting Makes Asking for Help Easier New data demonstrates quantitatively and qualitatively that younger groups prefer using text to discuss emotional issues. Early adopters tried to convert text conversations to voice calls, however, this method was quickly dismissed as ineffective. In almost all cases, when asked to move to a call, the texter would refuse, or worse, opt out. Hotline staff realized the mere suggestion would often result in premature termination. Similar studies on text by University of Michigan and UC Berkeley support the theory that text is preferred when individuals are required to talk about emotional issues or reflect on their personal health.

2013 Educational Message Services, Inc. 1225 Devon Lane Ventura CA 93001 www.preventionpaystext.com

 Educational Messages Services Inc. Health information at your fingertips PreventionPays Text was evaluated during a 3-year SAMHSA GLS Grant. "Someone To Listen: Help-Seeking Behavior Through a Text-Based Crisis Line for Youth" Dr. William Evans, researcher at University of Nevada, Reno and Research Assistants Laura Davidson and Lorie Sicafuse used a multi-method evaluation to assess the efficacy and use rates of the youth text hotline, which is fully operational today and receiving statewide texts in Nevada as well as national texts from youth and young adults who have found their text line through the Internet. Today, the collection of hotlines/helplines using PreventionPays Text for crisis support have logged well over a million text encounters since the service officially launched in 2010, a staggering statistic when considering the nature of the conversations. They are contacting the hotlines because they are in crisis, facing serious issues like bullying, self- harm, eating disorders, abuse, domestic violence or thoughts of suicide. They are using the text hotlines as a lifeline. While it may be difficult for some to imagine suicide prevention is happening in 160 characters or less, those who use the service, the hundreds of people texting these hotlines every day, couldn't imagine it any other way. For information about PreventionPays Text, visit www.preventionpaystext.com If you are a victim or survivor of domestic violence or know someone who is suffering call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1800799SAFE (7233) or TTY 18007873224

2013 Educational Message Services, Inc. 1225 Devon Lane Ventura CA 93001 www.preventionpaystext.com