PHOENIX — A person will no longer pick up the phone in Maricopa County when a domestic violence survivor calls for centralized help to seek assistance.
Starting Friday, the SafeDVS referral hotline changed to a pre-recorded message directing people to local shelter services, according to the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.
The coalition’s Chief Executive Officer, Jenna Panas, said the expiration of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, coupled with utilization data “made the model unsustainable.”
Now, the hotline will only help people who are already on the waitlist for a shelter placement.
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Valley advocates expressed concern over the change, saying survivors will now have to call every shelter individually for care.
“Our biggest concern and fear is that the survivors won’t reach out again or think there aren’t services available to them,” Chief Program Officer at A New Leaf, Kathy DiNolfi, said. “We are here. We are available. We will help. We have resources available. Please continue to reach out.”
Resources and shelters:
A New Leaf – CAAFA (Apache Junction)
480-773-2359
Singles and families, service animals and ESAs only
De Colores (South Phoenix)602-269-1515
Singles and families, pet friendly, Spanish language services
A New Leaf – Faith House (Glendale)
623-939-6798
Singles and families
New Life Center (Goodyear)
623-932-4404
Singles and families, pet friendly
Sojourner Center (Central Phoenix)
602-244-0089
Singles and families, pet friendly, onsite childcare
Chrysalis (North Phoenix)
602-944-4999
Singles and families, service animals only
My Sister’s Place (Chandler)
480-821-1024
Singles and families, service animals only
