Crisis Text-Chatline

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence, reaching out can be intimidating; sometimes making that phone call and speaking those words out loud seems impossible. For some, making a phone call and speaking out loud isn’t safe when their abuser is nearby. For others, written communication is easier or more comfortable. Whether it’s a phone call, text, or chat message, Crisis Center North advocates are here for YOU!

CCN provides free and confidential services to victims and their loved ones who have been impacted by violence in Allegheny County. Our trained advocates provide support during a crisis through safety planning, advocacy, information, and referral.

You can safely message with a trained advocate 9:00am – 9:00pm daily by visiting www.crisiscenternorth.org and clicking on the blue chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner or texting 1-877-522-6093. If you need to speak with someone outside of our chat hours, please call our 24-hour hotline at 412-364-5556.
‍

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A CHAT SESSION

Our advocates go through extensive training before they’re able to interact with survivors, allowing us to safely and confidentially discuss your options and listen without judgement. When contacting CCN’s text-chat line, you can expect responses such as:

“Are you in a safe place right now?”
‍Safety planning is part of every conversation at CCN. Every survivor that contacts us for support has their own unique safety considerations. Before we can provide individual options, we need to know any immediate safety concerns such as physical injuries and if the abuser is nearby and may be looking over shoulder.

“Can you tell me about your situation?”
Advocates speak to survivors in the Pittsburgh area every day who are currently in abusive relationships, who are preparing to leave the violence, or who are experiencing the effects of violence years after the abuse has ended. Advocates will also speak to survivors about what forms of abuse they’ve experienced in their relationship – physical, emotional, mental, psychological, financial, sexual, etc., to have a better picture of available services and options.

“What do you want to happen next?"
Advocates are available to provide options and support decisions. CCN will always empower and work with survivors to identify their own goals and action steps. We will always provide an option and discuss the pros and cons of that option as it applies to the survivor’s unique situation.

‍“Can I get some information about you?”
CCN’s communications with survivors are completely confidential in accordance with state law; medical emergencies and mandated child abuse reporting are the only exceptions to our confidentiality. During the conversation, you will be asked for some personal information. This information will remain within the agency; however, you are not required to share anything you are not comfortable sharing.



SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Internet and phone usage is often monitored by abusers. CCN advocates can discuss digital safety and staying safe online with survivors. When utilizing CCN’s text chat line, know and consider the following:

1. CCN does not save any text-chat line conversations.
2. You can escape our website by clicking the escape (Esc) key or bar at the top of our website.
3. Delete text conversations when finished.
4. If you minimize the chat window on the website, the conversation history will be deleted as a safety precaution.
5. Clear your browser history after visiting our website.
‍