Since March 1, Safe Connections has been providing survivors of domestic and sexual violence with a new service that will make a dramatic impact on their ability to reach a trained crisis advocate.
Along with operating as the organization’s 24-hour crisis helpline, those seeking assistance can also access services by sending a text to the same crisis number at (314) 531-2003. Both will be answered by a trained professional.
Safe Connections’ mission is to reduce the impact and incidence of relationship violence and sexual assault through education, crisis intervention, counseling and support services, and the added texting feature will expand the organization’s reach by allowing greater access to those who are non-English speakers, the Deaf community, youth and for those who are unable to make a voice call due to their surroundings.
Jaszmine Parks, the organization’s crisis and community education manager, said the crisis textline has long been a dream of Safe Connections.
“The crisis helpline was the original program of Safe Connections when it was founded in 1976, so the textline is a modernization of that original program,” Parks said. “When the pandemic hit the country around March 2020, Safe Connections saw a significant drop in the number of calls received on the crisis helpline. Compared to 2019, there was a 23% drop in calls in 2020.
“While we cannot say with certainty why it happened, we expect is has a lot to do with the fact that people were sheltering in place with unsafe people, and could not get away to call,” she added. “With this in mind, and an influx of emergency grant funds available because of the pandemic, we decided to pursue funding for this program and make it happen.”
Parks took the time to share a few insights about how valuable the new feature came about and how invaluable it can be for those who are in an unsafe situation.
How long has it been in the making? Conversations have been happening for at least a few years, but it really took off in spring/summer of 2020, when the state and the federal governments released new grants to help survivors through the pandemic. Once these grants became available, we took the opportunity to draft proposals for the project and pursue funding. The last year has been spent developing the program and acquiring the technology to launch it.
How do you feel it will help survivors who need your services? While we receive on average of 4,000 calls a year on our crisis helpline, we know that calling isn’t always an option. Some people may have their calls monitored, and some people (younger people or Deaf people, for example) might be more comfortable or rely on texting, so this program is designed to increase accessibility. It can also be useful for people who need resources but aren’t able to make a phone call and have a pen and paper available to write down the information. Instead, those folks can text us and request resources, and get that information sent directly to their phone.
Can you give some specific examples of when this service would be important? An individual who is in an abusive relationship and is not able to step away to make a phone call can send a text to us and let us know what (help) they are looking for, whether that be shelter resources, legal resources or general emotional support. They might want to know their options, and we can help them get that information in a manner that is more discreet than a phone call. Another person might want help with food security and can send us a text asking for food banks near them. Or a third person can be on the bus or train heading to their job and want information about employment training to start a new career They can send us a text, and we can reply with information about a local employment agency. Even if we cannot answer someone’s question immediately, we can connect them with someone who can.
What is your overall mission and goal? In my position I manage and am a part of the team that answers calls on the crisis helpline and responds to messages on the crisis textline. In this way I can speak to survivors directly and help them move forward with their goals. There is a large and well-trained team of people that responds immediately to survivors who contact us, so no matter who someone speaks to they will receive tailored and empathetic support.
I also conduct education events on college campuses and in the community, speaking on a variety of topics (intro to intimate partner violence and sexual violence, bystander intervention, etc.). So one day I might talk to a group of residential advisors about sexual assault on college campuses, and the next, I will speak to community members at a local library about supportive survivors of intimate partner violence. In my position I am committed to ensuring that our crisis intervention programs (helpline and textline) are growing to accommodate survivors’ needs, whether that be providing resources, assistance with safety planning, or emotional support.
In regard to community education, I’d like to work myself out of a job! My dream is to be a part of a community that is so passionate and educated about intimate partner violence and sexual violence that my education and intervention isn’t necessary. Consent conversations and bystander intervention would be a part of the culture; violence of any kind wouldn’t be tolerated; and the community would respond naturally to each other’s needs.
Are there any other projects or programs in the works? All of our programs have evolved to accommodate the need for virtual engagement, so that is ongoing. Besides that, we are simply continuing on with our current work!
Safe Connections is one of the St. Louis region’s oldest and largest organizations working to prevent and end domestic and sexual violence. Services include prevention education, crisis intervention and therapy, which all make a big difference for families and the health of the community.
The crisis helpline is available 24 hours a day; the textline is currently available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Both offer a high-quality level of service of emotional support, safety planning, and referrals for counseling, medical care, legal aid and more. They are available for adults, youth and people of all genders. The 24-Hour crisis helpline and crisis textline services are also an excellent resource for friends and family members who are concerned for a loved one.
Safe Connections 14th Annual Stronger TOGETHER! event will be virtual this year, with an online auction running from noon on Friday, April 16 through Saturday, April 24, when a live raffle drawing will also be held. Visit safeconnections.org for more information.
