Helpline

You’re not alone - Help is just a call away.

Our Helpline counselors are here to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and connect them to all the programs VIP offers. Live, bilingual operators fluent in Spanish and English are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. With the use of a telephone interpreter service, callers can receive assistance in various languages, including some indigenous languages from Latin America.

Call 800-664-5880, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

If you are calling for emergency shelter, the helpline counselor will immediately assess for availability and make sure it is a safe place for you. If a match is found, staff will reach out within 24 hours or the following business day, providing additional information and guiding through the next steps.

What happens when you call the Helpline?

  • You will be warmly greeted by a live operator and asked to confirm whether you are in a safe and confidential place to talk for about 20 to 30 minutes.
  • The helpline counselor will listen and learn why you’ve reached out and what you need. They will assess any immediate safety concerns, tell you about VIP’s programs that may be helpful to you, and/or share resources for other providers who may be able to assist you and make appropriate referrals.
If Helpline counselors are all busy, or the call is made outside of operating hours, callers will be provided with an option to leave a message. Please be sure to leave a number that is safe to call and tell us what times are safe for us to reach you. Callers who have provided a safe time to call will be returned by the next business day. In the case of an emergency, callers will be informed of their option to contact 911 or the 24/7 NYC Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE (4673).