What supports are available to families affected by domestic violence or child abuse?

School closures, working remotely and avoiding public spaces can help reduce the spread of COVID-19, but for many children and families, we recognize staying at home may not feel like the safest option. Stress and financial strain impact everyone, but unusual circumstances like a pandemic are never an excuse for domestic violence or child abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate threat to personal safety or has been physically harmed, please call or text 911 and seek medical attention immediately. 

If you are in need of support: 

• Contact La Casa de las Madres to receive support in English or Spanish. 
• 24/7 hotline at 877-503-1850 (Adults); 877-923-0700 (Teens)  
• If you are unable to call, text a message to La Casa’s text line at 415-200-3575  
• Call the Asian Women’s Shelter at 877-751-088 to receive support in English or 26 Asian languages. Shelter stays are available for up to 4 months, although extensions are possible. 
• Contact Rosalie House at 415-255-0165 to receive support, including up to 12 weeks of safe housing when they reopen.  
• Stay connected to supportive friends, family members or trusted loved ones. You are not alone, including if this means self-care. 
• Create a safety plan that helps to walk you through different scenarios.   
• If able, create a survival kit, that can be concealed at home, at work, or with a trusted neighbor, friend, or relative. A comprehensive list of what to pack can be found here. 

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected: 

• Make a confidential report anytime by calling the San Francisco hotline at [phone] or the national hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD.  
• Click here to learn what information is helpful for filing a confidential report.  
• If there is an emergency or you believe a child is in immediate danger, call or text 911. 

If you suspect a friend or family member might not be safe at home and needs support: 

• Check-in on them with a simple conversation. Remember to be supportive and non-judgmental no matter what they decide. 
• Help them develop a safety plan. 
• Encourage them to talk to people who can provide help and guidance. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to get a referral. 
• If they are in a situation where they cannot talk freely and you cannot be heard, ask “Yes or No” questions to see how you can help them. The person may silently signal for help using this hand signal. 
• Let them know that they can call 911 or text 911 if calling is not safe, if they are unable to call 911 you can call on their behalf. 

For more information on where to go for help, please visit the City & County of San Francisco website.