I went to the State’s Attorney and they got me in touch with Mid-Shore Council [on Family Violence]. I think I got a card and I called... so I got to meet MSCFV and my Journey began. [Prior to that], I had known about [MSCFV]. I didn’t know everything that [they] did. I didn’t know the extent of what they did. ~ MSCFV Client
The MSCFV 24-hour hotline (1-800-927-4673), an important crisis service, is available to all domestic violence victims seeking crisis intervention, emergency shelter, pet friendly shelter and services, assistance with protective orders, information and referral, emotional support, counseling and guidance. A trained Hotline Advocate answers the hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For victims whose primary language is not English, MSCFV hotline counselors have access to Spanish-speaking counselors, and interpretation/translation technology for other languages.
Most hotline callers go on to receive other services. For example, 86% received additional counseling, 88% received follow up services, and 38% had an advocate accompany them to court.
MSCFV advocates answered 513 hotline calls from victims in crisis in fiscal year 2020. During these calls, advocates often discuss Safety Planning, Community Resources, and Legal Rights & Options.
Topics discussed in hotline calls in FY2020
The majority of victims achieve positive outcomes in these calls, including a better understanding of the cycle of violence, a better understanding of their rights and options, and a readiness to take the next step in ending the violence.
Hotline call outcomes FY2020
To provide victims a way to contact the MSCFV hotline without having to speak out loud, a chat feature was added to this website.
