SAFEline chat picks up steam!
Written by Antwon R. MartinWe’re proud to announce that SAFEline chat saw more than 100 users in a single month for the first time since we launched the service!
SAFEline consistently receives thousands of phone calls each year – 2016 had 14,290 calls – and more people are using SAFEline chat each month.
In January, we had 31 chat users. By the end of June, our monthly number had grown to 101. There is a need in our community for new ways to seek services.
Our poll
We launched SAFEline chat with the understanding that some people, especially younger generations, prefer communicating via text. But we wanted to know for sure what kind of need there was for a chat service.
Back in May, we asked our social media followers a question: If you were to contact SAFE, either for yourself or a loved one, how would you prefer making that initial connection?
Results:
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60% — Online chat
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31% — Phone
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9% — Email
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Less than 1% — In person
The people have spoken. It turns out, sometimes it’s just easier to chat digitally.
Considering the countless boundaries survivors face when trying to escape the cycle of abuse, we want to make the brave decision to reach out as easy as possible.
Current SAFEline chat hours:
Monday – Friday: 12:30 p.m. to midnight
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How to contact SAFEline
If you need assistance with domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, child abuse, or if you’re in need of parenting support, you can connect with SAFE at safeaustin.org/chat.
Our chat advocates can also be reached by calling the 24/7 SAFEline at 512.267.SAFE (7233).
SAFEline chat is available when talking on the phone is too dangerous, but that’s not it’s only purpose. Chat is here for members of the Deaf community who prefer chat to relay/VRS, people with disabilities who prefer communicating by text, and anyone who prefers not to talk on the phone.
