Reporting Agency? That’s Not What We Are

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available by phone 24/7 at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Childhelp is also not a reporting agency, but if you have questions about what is considered child abuse in your state, or would happen if you made a Child Protective Services (CPS) report or went to the police about your concerns, they can answer them. Every state is different when it comes to reporting child abuse, and Childhelp can get you the phone number, or website where possible, to make a report. First-hand reports are always more valuable to child abuse investigators than when someone else makes them.

Even if you’re not thinking about running away from home, the Runaway Safeline is a great resource for children and young adults who are struggling with issues at home. It is for both runaway and homeless youth. Youth and family members connect to the hotline or to online crisis services to work through problems and find local help from social service agencies and organizations. Available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). They also offer text, chat, email, and online forums.

To find the nearest Safe Place shelter or youth/children’s shelter near you text SAFE and your city and state to 44357. Within seconds, you will receive a message with the closest Safe Place site and phone number for the local youth agency. You will also have the option to text interactively with a professional for more help. It’s quick, easy, safe and confidential.

Available by chat, email, text, and phone, YLYV can provide help and guidance on most issues young people face, from bullying or grades, to eating disorders or abuse at home. YourLifeYourVoice.org is part of The Boys Town National Hotline. They also offer a bulletin board of topics they’ve already addressed, if that feels safer. Available by phone 24/7 at 1-800-448-3000.

For queer youth with concerns in any way related to their sexual orientation or gender. Reach out any time via email, or call 1-800-246-7743 Monday-Friday from 1-9pm Pacific Time and Saturday from 9am-2pm Pacific.

A crisis line by transgender people, for transgender people available at 1-877-565-8860. Trans Lifeline operators are available 18 hours a day every day of the week. Go to their website for availability per time zone.

A suicide/crisis line for LGBTQ youth called the TrevorLifeline, available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. They also offer chat and text.

Text HOME to 741741 for help 24/7 with any kind of crisis.

This national organization can direct you to the phone number, or website where possible, to report suspected abuse or neglect of an older adult or an adult with a disability. First-hand reports are always more valuable to elder abuse investigators than when someone else makes them.

As with child abuse, the reporting options and requirements for elderly or disabled adults vary state by state.

ADA Specialists, who assist callers in understanding how the ADA applies to their situation, are available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am-5:30pm Eastern Time and on Thursday from 12:30pm-5:30pm Eastern. Calls are confidential. 1-800-514-0301 (voice); 1-800-514-0383 (TTY). También disponible en español.

Available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 on any phone, this project of United Way can offer referrals in your local community for everything from shelter to food banks to counseling to job help. They’re the first place we recommend people go to find out what kind of help is available nearby. 211’s website is available in over 100 languages. Available by phone, text, or web.

Offering confidential referrals for crime victims of any kind, VictimConnect can be reached at 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) from 8:30am–7:30pm EST, Monday–Friday. Online chat is available 9:30am–6:30pm EST, Monday–Friday. Interpretation is available in more than 200 languages.

Though every state operates their own CVC, this resource helps the public understand the government programs available to reimburse victims of violent crimes – such as assault, homicide, rape, and, in some states, burglary – as well as their families for many of their out-of-pocket expenses.

This website lets people search for counselors, therapists and treatment centers by zip code and specialization. Everyone could use a good therapist! Search on their website or call 1-888-563-2112 to find a therapist.

A support agency for those who grew up exposed to domestic violence between their parents or guardians.

An affordable housing locator tool with information on renting in 34 states, and buying in 11 states. También disponible en español.

HUD operates Section 8 Programs, and you can search for low-rent apartments by state, or look into other rental assistance programs. También disponible en español.

A locator tool to find free or low-cost services like medical care, food, job training and more, searchable by zip code.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program may be able to help pay utility bills.

This agency can help with mortgage payments for those who qualify. For information about programs and/or guidance on your options, housing counselors are available 24/7 in more than 170 languages at 888-995-HOPE™ (4673). También disponible en español. Their website is also available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and Tagalog.

An organization whose mission is to support, educate and advocate for the rights and lives of transgender individuals and SOFFAs (Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies). Check out their website for a collection of resources.

Available at 1-888-843-4564 M-F from 1-9pm Pacific Time and Saturday 9am-2pm Pacific Time.

This New York-based agency envisions a world in which all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected people are safe, respected, and live free from violence. AVP offers a free bilingual (English/Spanish) crisis intervention hotline staffed by trained counselors available 24/7 at 212-714-1141. Online reporting is also an option.

For help with discrimination, harassment or violence in the workplace, call 1-800-522-0925. The Helpline is staffed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 2-5pm EST. You may leave a message with your name, number and issue of concern at any time. Calls will be returned within 2-3 days. Available via email at [email protected]. También disponible en español.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against at work because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information, you can file a Charge of Discrimination. También disponible en español. Also available in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.

For anyone concerned about stalking (whether from a stranger or someone known to you) this website has a template to log concerning incidents as well as safety planning information and tips. También disponible en español.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network has a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) and has chat services available in English and Spanish as well. They can connect survivors with local sexual assault programs, too.

Striving to help everyone in the community stop the sexual abuse of children, Stop It Now! operates a Helpline M-F from 12-6pm Eastern Time at 1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) to provide support, guidance and information to adults who wish to speak confidentially either about their own experiences, or concerns for someone else. Chat and email are available as well as an Online Help Center.

Operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888 in English and Spanish. The BeFree Textline is also 24/7: Text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE). Their mission is to connect human trafficking victims and survivors to critical support and services to get help and stay safe, and to equip the anti-trafficking community with the tools to effectively combat all forms of human trafficking.

Male Survivor helps men who’ve been sexually abused, assaulted, or raped through moderated discussion boards, 24/7, which are used by more than 100,000 men each year from more than 150 countries around the globe.

Sexual assault support for the military and the Department of Defense community. Available 24/7 at 1-877-995-5247. Chat, group chat and text are available.

This non-profit is dedicated to providing information, support, and resources to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their friends and family. They have an extensive library of articles and resources for survivors, as well as an online support group, a message board and chat room.

Offers an online support group, message board, and chat room for rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse survivors. After Silence también es disponible en español.

This national resource for parents offers support groups, international leadership networking, and programming for children. Some support groups are available in Spanish.

A project of Parents Anonymous, the National Parent Helpline is available M-F 10am-7pm Pacific Time at 1-855-4APARENT (1-855-427-2736) to provide emotional support from trained advocates, they help callers become empowered and be stronger parents. The National Parent Helpline is available in English and Spanish.

Available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 and by chat, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and to the loved ones of people who have committed suicide. También disponible en español.

A crisis line by transgender people for transgender people available at 1-877-565-8860. Go to their website for availability per time zone.

A suicide/crisis line for LGBTQ youth available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. They also offer chat, text and a social networking site for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 and their friends and allies.

Offering information and support on all kinds of mental health concerns and illnesses, the NAMI HelpLine operates M-F 10am-6pm Eastern Time at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Available via email at [email protected]. También disponible en español.

Text HOME to 741741 for help 24/7 with any kind of crisis.

A live online network that uses instant messaging to respond to people in crisis, I’m Alive offers chat services with volunteers who are trained and certified in crisis intervention.