If you are in immediate danger, don't hesitate to dial 9-1-1 or phone a friend or neighbor to call 9-1-1 for you, if you are afraid to keep a record of your calls on your own cell phone or computer or tablet.
If you need further local assistance for non-emergency issues, such as finding resources for teens and children who are experiencing or witnessing domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, violence, and/or crime, dial:
2-1-1 (
Mass 211)
or dial:
3-1-1 (
Boston 311)
Also, here are some helpful websites and hotline numbers, in case you need them.
NATIONAL RESOURCES:
24/7 Crisis Chat:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 Crisis Call: (800) 799-7233 (SAFE)
24/7 Crisis Text: 88788
RAINN - National Sexual Assault Hotline
24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 656-4673
BOSTON RESOURCES:
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
Mass.gov Domestic Violence Programs
CHILD MALTREATMENT:
SafeLink - Casa Myrna
24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 785-2020
24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 521-2601 (TTY)
Mass.gov Child Abuse and Neglect
Child-at-Risk Hotline (800) 792-5200
Children's Trust - Stop Child Abuse
Address: 55 Court Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-8957
Fax: (617) 727-8997
Email:
info@childrenstrustma.org
Boston Children's Hospital - Child Protection Program
Phone: (617) 355-7979
Fax: (617) 730-0432
Safe Kids Thrive
Address: 55 Court Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-8957
Massachusetts Children's Alliance
Child Trauma Training Center
Quote:
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The CRS/LINK-KID includes a network of mental health agencies and practitioners who have been trained in evidence-based trauma-focused treatments, with a large database and toll-free number (1-855-LINK-KID), housed and maintained within the University. If you would like to make a referral for a child who has experienced a traumatic event call, 1-855-LINK-KID Monday through Friday 7:30 – 5:00 pm to speak with a referral coordinator. To learn more visit the UMass Child Trauma Training Center's website.
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UMass LINK KID
Phone: (855) LINK-KID
Prevent Child Abuse Massachusetts
PARENTS HOTLINE:
24/7 Parent Stress Line
Phone: (800) 632-8188
LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS:
Mass.gov - Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA)
Boston Office: 1 Ashburton Place, Suite 1101, Boston, MA 02108
Boston Office Voicemail: (617) 586-1340
AskMOVA Voicemail: (844) 878-6682 (MOVA)
Mass.gov - Office of the Child Advocate
OCA Email:
childadvocate@mass.gov
Complaint Line (617) 979-8360
Note: During the Covid-19 pandemic the OCA Complaint Line is receiving a high volume of calls and emails. If you contacted us and have not received a response after more than 3 business days, please call our main office number below.
Main Office: (617) 979-8374
Toll Free: (866) 790-3690
For all OCA phone lines our hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Online Complaint Form
Victim Rights Law Center
Boston/Statewide Emails here:
Local: (617) 399-6720 x19
Local (Español): (617) 399-6720 x35
Toll Free: (877) 758-8132 x19
Toll Free (Español): (877) 758-8132 x35
Mass CLAVC - Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime
Contact CLAVC Lawyer
Find more resources in the Boston area here.
NOTE: You can be protected if you report an issue to one of the agencies, and you can also ask for an advocate to help you. It does not always mean that your parents will get in trouble, and it does not always mean that the situation will worsen if you report what is going on. Sometimes there are "wraparound services" that are available to help your family get the care they need - including benefits such as counseling, monetary assistance, etc.
If you are witnessing repeated domestic violence and/or intimate partner violence from your dad to your mom, then you can help your mom and yourself escape that situation by asking someone to help you without tipping off your dad. Your mom may or may not agree with that plan, but there are adults who know how to professionally and safely handle that.
If you have siblings - younger or older - who are being maltreated by either of your parents, you can ask for assistance with that, too. That is included in domestic violence, but it is specific to child maltreatment (child abuse and neglect). Sometimes witnessing domestic violence also endangers the child as well as constitutes child neglect.
If you report these things and ask for help, the professionals can also help find you and your family counseling. You can address your concerns and fears to whomever you speak with, and you can try to speak anonymously at first, if you are unsure about going this route.
But make sure that you are first and foremost safe, and that your family is safe. Also, reach out to your school if you don't feel comfortable using your phone, tablet, or computer to make these calls. You can perhaps log into a school's computer to access this information, print it out, and take it with you or show your school counselor or teacher this list of resources. Your school is likely to also have additional resources that work directly with student reports of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and/or child maltreatment.