• If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
• If you or someone you know needs help or advice because of violent, controlling and/or intimidating behaviors by a partner, contact SafeLink, the Massachusetts Statewide Domestic Violence hotline. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day with trained domestic violence counselors who can provide help in multiple languages. 1-877-785-2020. Locally, you can also call the Elizabeth Stone House at 522-3417.
• If you are using violent, controlling and/or intimidating behaviors toward your partner, you can stop. There are educational programs available to help people recognize and change their behavior. For information on a Batterer Intervention Program near you, call 624-5497.
• Volunteer or donate to a domestic violence organization in your area. To find one close by, contact Jane Doe, Inc. at 248-0922, or visit www.janedoe.org.
• You can educate yourself on what domestic violence is and how to stop it. There are many resources available, including these web sites: Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/ipv_factsheet.pdf; Family Violence Prevention Fund: endabuse.org/programs/publiceducation/; Close to Home: www.c2home.org; Jane Doe Inc.:www.JaneDoe.org; Elizabeth Stone House: www.ElizabethStoneHouse.org.
From materials provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and other sources.