Interpersonal Safety

The Basics

• If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
• The 24/7 statewide helpline is 1-800-494-8100 or by visiting the RICADV website using the chat option. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Organizations are open to support individuals and families who need to engage in safety planning.
• Restraining orders are available. RICADV has this information for individuals seeking restraining orders.
• The RI State Police launched an awareness program called Safe at Home to raise awareness of the threat of increased violence during this pandemic.
• Outreach directly to agencies to learn of new resources and evolving best practices.
• The National Network To End Domestic Violence issued a report with  snapshot summaries of the kinds of systems barriers survivors and their advocates in Rhode Island encountered while trying to access safe housing and other concrete supports.

IPV/DV

• For help from a IPV/DV organization, check RICADV’s website for a list of individual community- based organizations for resources and support.
• IPV survivors may have specific housing rights covered by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The National Housing Law Project has this guidance.
• The Family Violence Option Advocacy Program assists DHS clients who are IPV survivors navigate state benefits programs and resources.
• List of survivor resources (ESP).

Elder Abuse

• General Information about elder abuse here.
• Elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation reports can be made here.  Report instructions here. 
• The Office of Healthy Aging’s Point offices provides adults 55+ with resource support. More information here.

The Breakdown

• When cell phone carriers switch to 5G, they will stop service to phones, medical devices, and security systems that run on 3G. People with older phones will not be able makes calls including emergency calls to 911. For additional information about the timeline and how to upgrade affected devices, visit the FCC website.
• It is important to acknowledge the reality that social/physical distancing limitations controls IPV survivors’ movement in ways that may be triggering and endangering. Essential safety services through police and courts are functioning.
• However, for many survivors these resources may not be good or safe options, for a variety of reasons. For those individuals, it’s important to note that the above referenced helplines are available and the National DV hotline offers a chat option.
• Being an ally to someone in an abusive situation can look like helping the person stay safe by listening, expressing concern without judgment, and asking them if there is anything you can do for them. More on safety planning and resources.

The Bottom Line

• Local community-based organizations are addressing the pandemic related challenges by maintaining protective services for current clients and initiating new investigations relating to suspicion of neglect or abuse.

Spotlight on non-discrimination

• IPV survivors are protected against discrimination in a number of contexts including housing, employment, healthy insurance access, and benefit access. If a person has been discriminated against on the sole basis of their IPV status, they have the right to file a complaint. Care teams can share the following resources to help people navigate the different anti-discrimination supports available in RI.
  • For housing-based discrimination, contact the RI Commission for Human Rights.
  • For discrimination experienced at the Department of Human Services, contact the RI DHS Office of Civil Rights.
  • The RI ACLU or the RI Attorney General’s Office of the Civil Rights Advocates offers additional support for people who have been discriminated on the basis on their membership to a protected class.