Victims at home with abusers within earshot can now text the City Attorney’s Office for help
COLUMBUS — Today, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced that residents experiencing domestic violence will now be able to use text messaging to request help and resources from the City Attorney’s office, in addition to phone calls.
Starting this week, victims can reach the City Attorney’s Domestic Violence & Stalking Unit by sending a text message to 614-653-8075 and providing domestic violence advocates with their name, a safe time to communicate, and an email or phone number where they can be reached. For their protection, victims are encouraged to delete their own message after it is sent. The City Attorney’s domestic violence advocates will contact the victim at the designated time to discuss safety planning for them and their family.
City Attorney Klein also reminded residents that if they are in immediate danger, they should call or text 911.
“For people experiencing domestic abuse while sheltering in place, there are very few opportunities to get away from an abuser to seek help,” said City Attorney Klein. “Our concern about an uptick in domestic violence incidents led us to this solution for victims who can now reach out for help, even if they are fearful that their abuser may be within earshot. It is critical for victims to know they are not alone, and we are here to help.”
Columbus Police recently reported that they saw an increase in domestic violence-related calls in March. There were 3,226 calls about domestic violence last month, which is more than 600 calls above average.
In addition to City Attorney Klein’s Office, the LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence hotline is available 24/7 at 614-224-4663.