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Resources to help domestic violence victims

By Senior Airman Rusty Frank [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The fatal shooting of a Tacoma police officer started as a response to a domestic violence situation.

Tacoma Police Chief Donald Ramsdell says the most responded-to call for service in the city involves domestic violence. What’s scary is that most cases of domestic violence are never reported to police.

The department estimates the cost of domestic violence exceeds $5.8 Billion. Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners or children when they become adults.

Violence and abuse affect women and children from all kinds of backgrounds every day. Sometimes, women are attacked by strangers, but most often they are hurt by people who are close to them.

If you or someone you know are in an abusive relationship, there are many resources available that you or a loved one can turn to for help. Even if you don't know someone experiencing domestic violence, there are steps you can take to help victims.

Domestic Violence Hotlines

Several domestic violence hotlines are available in Washington state. These hotlines provide a direct connection to the nearest domestic violence program and resources, including safe shelter, advocacy, counseling and legal assistance. They also provide crisis assistance, emotional support, and safety planning.

Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-562-6025 (Voice and TTY) (8am-5pm every day)

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (Voice) (24 hours every day)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

King County Domestic Violence
Call 911 now if you or someone else is in immediate danger. If you want to speak to someone about domestic violence:
Seattle: 206-205-5555
Statewide toll free: 1-800-562-6025
Anywhere else in the United States: 1-800-799-SAFE

The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
Call 866-331-9474 or 866-331-8453 (TDD).
Staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You will hear a recording and may have to wait for a short time.
You can get help through a live online chat from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Learn more about the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline live chat.
You can also chat with helpline staff via email or text LOVEIS to 22522.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call 800-656-4673.
Staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get Help for Violence

Violence and abuse affect women from all kinds of backgrounds every day. Sometimes, women are attacked by strangers, but most often they are hurt by people who are close to them. Violence and abuse can cause terrible physical and emotional pain. But victims are not alone, and they can get help. The following are steps and resources provided by the U.S. Office on Women's Health:

Safety planning for abusive situations

Court order of protection (restraining order)

Resources by state on violence against women

Types of violence against women

Laws on violence against women

How to help a friend who is being abused

How you can help end violence against women

Violence does not hurt only the person who has experienced it. It hurts the whole community. Learn ways you can work to help end violence against women. Here are some suggestions:

  • Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence.
  • Support a friend or family member who may be in an abusive relationship. Learn more about how to help.
  • Volunteer at a local domestic violence shelter or other organization that helps survivors or works to prevent violence.
  • Raise children to respect others. Teach children to treat others as they would like to be treated.
  • Lead by example. Work to create a culture that rejects violence as a way to deal with problems. Speak up against messages that say violence or mistreating women is okay.
  • Become an activist. Participate in an anti-violence event like a local Take Back the Night march. Tell your congressional representatives that you want them to support domestic violence services and violence prevention programs.
  • Volunteer in youth programs. Become a mentor. Get involved in programs that teach young people to solve problems without violence. Get involved with programs that teach teens about healthy relationships.
  • Ask about anti-violence policies and programs at work and school. At work, ask about policies that deal with sexual harassment, for example. On campus, ask about services to escort students to dorms safely at night and other safety measures.

Domestic Violence Resources and Organizations

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Washington Statewide Resources by County

Purple Light Nights

Download a directory of Tribal domestic violence and sexual assault programs in Washington State.

Adams County

Asotin County

Benton County

Chelan County

  • NW Immigrant Rights Project, Wenatchee, WA. Office: 509.570.0054, Crisis Line: 866.271.2084
  • Sage, Wenatchee, WA. Office: (509) 663-7446, Crisis Line: (509) 663-7446

Clallam County

Clark County

Columbia County

Cowlitz County

Douglas County

  • Sage, Wenatchee, WA. Office: (509) 663-7446, Crisis Line: (509) 663-7446

Ferry County

Franklin County

Garfield County

Grant County

Grays Harbor County

  • Chehalis Confederated Tribe – Domestic Violence Program, Oakville, WA. Office: (360) 273-5911, Crisis Line: (360) 709-1874
  • Domestic Violence Center of Grays Harbor, Hoquiam, WA. Office: (360) 538-0733, Crisis Line: (800) 818-2194

Island County

Jefferson County

King County

Seattle Area

Eastside

  • LifeWire, Bellevue, WA. Office: (425) 562-8840, Crisis Line: (425) 746-1940

South King County

Kitsap County

Kittitas County

Klickitat County

Lewis County

Lincoln County

  • Family Resource Center, Davenport, WA. Office: (509) 725-4358, Crisis Line: (509) 725-4360

Mason County

  • Turning Pointe, Shelton, WA. Office: (360) 426-1216, Crisis Line: (360) 432-1212

Okanogan County

  • Room One, Twisp, WA. Office: (509) 997-2050, Crisis Line: (509) 997-2050
  • The Support Center, Omak, WA. Office: (509) 826-3221, Crisis Line: (888) 826-3221

Pacific County

Pend Oreille County

Pierce County

San Juan County

  • SAFE San Juans, Eastsound, WA
    • Lopez Island, Office: (360) 468-3788, Crisis Line: (360) 468-4567
    • Orcas Island, Office: (360) 376-5979, Crisis Line: (360) 376-1234
    • San Juan Island, Office: (360) 378-8680, Crisis Line: (360) 378-2345

Skagit County

Skamania County

Snohomish County

Spokane County

Stevens County

  • Rural Resources Victim Services, Colville, WA. Office: (509) 684-3796, Crisis Line: (509) 684-6139 or 844-509-SAFE (7233)
  • Spokane Indian Tribe – Family Violence Program, Wellpinit, WA. Office: (509) 258-7502

Thurston County

Wahkiakum County

Walla Walla County

  • YWCA-Walla Walla, Walla Walla, WA. Office: (509) 525-2570, Crisis Line: (509) 529-9922

Whatcom County

Whitman County

Yakima County

  • Lower Valley Crisis Support Services, Sunnyside, WA. Office: (509) 837-6689, Crisis Line: (509) 837-6689
  • NW Immigrant Rights Project, Granger, WA. Office: (509) 854-2100, Crisis Line: (888) 756-3641
  • YWCA-Family Crisis Program, Yakima, WA. Office: (509) 248-7796, Crisis Line: (509) 248-7796

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