What to do if you feel that someone you know is being abused

What to do When it Comes to Abuse

If you are the friend of family member of someone who you feel might be the victim of domestic violence, there are things that you can do.

• Pull the person aside and speak to him or her privately.
• Tell them that you are willing to help and ask if there’s anything that you can do.
• Express your concerns to them and let them know that you are there to listen if needed.
• Do not pressure them into making any immediate decisions and do not judge or blame them in any way.
• You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE in order to obtain more information.
• There are also a number of different local and state resources that you can access if needed.
• If there is ever a situation where you believe that the abuser is actively physically or sexually abusing the victim, call 911 immediately and law enforcement officers will go over to their house and investigate the situation.