Buffalo, N.Y. – Six New York State approved domestic violence service providers have launched two 24-hour domestic violence hotlines to provide immediate crisis intervention to victims. Over the past year, the six agencies have been working together to further strengthen the community response to domestic violence. Trained counselors will be available to take the confidential calls, 24-hours per day.
Composed of representatives from Crisis Services, Child and Family Services Haven House, the Family Justice Center, Hispanics United of Buffalo, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office, and supported (in part) by Erie County Department of Social Services, the collaborative focuses its efforts on streamlining services and improving victims’ ability to navigate the services system. The launch of these hotlines reduces the number of domestic violence hotlines in Erie County from six to two, while the partnering agencies will continue to operate in their full capacity and remain available for information and assistance
In 2011, nearly 8,800 calls were made to hotline numbers in Erie County. As a result, domestic violence service providers wanted to streamline all the resources and information provided from hotlines by establishing two numbers that would be easily accessible to victims of domestic violence. Callers to the hotlines are linked to key services such as: counseling, shelter information, safety planning, legal advocacy and much more. The hotlines are also available to community members or service providers who have questions pertaining to domestic violence.
The services provided by these hotlines are vital and essential to the intervention and prevention of domestic violence in Erie County.
The two hotline numbers are:
(716) 884-6000 (For Shelter)