DVBK

If you are in an emergency domestic violence situation it means you are physically trapped somewhere with no obvious path of getting away from someone who is being physically violent towards you in that moment. In this case, you should call 911 and, as soon as they answer, give them your name and address immediately regardless of what they say.

911

Remember that 911 calls are recorded so that, at the very least, you can prove in court that you made the call at a certain time and gave your name and address. Everything else you discuss with the 911 dispatcher will be in regards to gathering information about your situation and trying to calm you down and keep you safe while waiting for help to arrive. The dispatcher will quickly assess the situation (as they understand it based on your explanation) and offer the safest measure for you to take while waiting for police and EMS to arrive.

DO NOT call 911 for the following

Having a lot of non-physical fights with your partner

Screaming arguments, accusations, ultimatums, and threats that are not threats of violence all fall under the realm of verbal abuse. A threat of violence is a crime, but not necessarily an emergency unless you are physically trapped. If you are not physically trapped, and no physical harm or physical control was committed against you, it is not an emergency situation that warrants calling 911. Instead, you should consult our organization DVBK or any of the many organizations available to help guide you out of an abusive relationship.

911 is not a call to make because you are mad at your partner or feel alone, nor is it a call you make when you just want to get away from someone you find abusive. It’s only a call you make when you were physically abused and can’t get away from your abuser at the time of your call. This is due to the fact that 911 dispatchers handle 50 to 100 calls per shift, so there needs to be a limit to what can be deemed an emergency. If your call isn’t an emergency, the dispatcher will defer you to another number they think is more suitable to your situation.

Feeling like you are stuck with a consistent physical abuser

This may seem like an emergency if you are in a situation where you are constantly physically abused by someone and feel like you have nowhere to turn, but it doesn’t constitute an emergency in the eyes of the law, so you won’t get very far with 911 because there’s nothing violent happening at the time of your call. They will most likely tell you to go to your local police precinct and file a complaint against your abuser.

911 dispatchers often give you phone numbers to call for shelters and advocates, but shelters can be full sometimes and not all advocates are available to help provide a real means to resolving this type of situation swiftly and permanently. You will need someone who is willing to listen to your story and brainstorm on a way out. 911 dispatchers rarely offer this kind of help.

Contacting an organization like DVBK will give you a chance to review your situation with an advocate and explore multiple paths of moving forward, including the possibility of a shelter when all else fails.