Every year, millions of domestic violence victims suffer from the horrors of abuse alone. Having been isolated by their abusers from friends and family, many are disconnected from sources of support, strength and safety. By reaching out to your friend or family member and breaking the silence, you can make a difference.

Domestic Violence Help Line

Information, Options, Counseling, Legal and Shelter Services

Toll-Free. 24-hour. Confidential. Multilingual.

Phone: 1-877-863-6338
TTY: 1-877-863-6339

The Office on Domestic Violence continues to house and oversee the operation of the City of Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line. The Help Line is a 24-hour, toll-free confidential number that functions as a clearinghouse for domestic violence services and information.

The Help Line is used by:

• Victims
• Concerned family and friends
• Perpetrators of domestic violence
• Helping professionals
• Health care workers, faith leaders, police officers, and prosecutors

Established in 1998, Mayor's Office on Domestic Violence contracts with the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Womens Network to operate the Help Line. Callers to the Help Line are provided with general domestic violence information, referrals to appropriate domestic violence services and a three-way phone linkage between the caller and the domestic violence services. Trained domestic violence advocates – Victim Information and Referral Advocates (VIRAs) – staff the phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. VIRAs provide victims with immediate information about their options, information on safety planning, referrals to community based providers including:

• Shelters
• Counseling
• Legal advocacy
• Civil legal services
• Supervised child visitation centers
• Perpetrators services

Bi-lingual and bi-cultural Spanish speaking VIRAs are always available and operators can access the Language Line (formerly the AT & T Language Bank) for over 140 other languages. A TTY is available for speech and hearing impaired callers. The Help Line's database consists of over 170 local domestic violence resources, and counselors are able to navigate these various services to identify and link callers to the most appropriate and accessible program. The Help Line provides immediate information and direct links to community-based resources to almost 3,000 callers a month.

Ways You Can Help 

• Ask

If you think that a friend or loved one is being abused, talk to them about it. Just knowing that someone cares can break through the wall of isolation.

• Listen

Believe what they are saying and validate their feelings. Help them realize the abuse was not their fault. Let them know they are not alone.

• Discuss Safety

Explain that domestic violence is a crime. Discuss legal options such as Orders of Protection which can require the abuser to stay away from the victim. Children, family members, and employers can also be included on the Order of Protection.

• Respect

Understand that they should be the only one making decisions regarding their life.While we may think we know what is best, the healing process begins when victims regain control over their own lives. Provide referrals to helpful support services such as the Domestic Violence HelpLine.

• Educate Yourself

Familiarize yourself on the dynamics of domestic violence. Help your friend or family member see that abuse occurs when one partner attempts to maintain power and control over the other.

• Call the HelpLine

Call the Mayor's Office on Domestic Violence HelpLine (1-877-863-6338) and/or encourage the victim to call. Share the HelpLine number in a discreet way.