Someone watching?
Hit the ESC key at any time to hide this site. Privacy Tips
Call 1-844-762-8483
7NATIVE

Or Text 24/7

If you send a text, you will immediately receive a response notification that you will be texted back from a secondary number.
Standard text rates may apply.
Your information will be kept anonymous and confidential.

StrongHearts Native Helpline Announces Addition of Online Chat Sessions with Advocates

Posted
by StrongHearts Native Helpline

It is no coincidence that StrongHearts Native Helpline has chosen to roll out online chat advocacy amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic created the perfect storm for victim-survivors of domestic and dating violence by having to shelter-in-place with their abusive partners. This necessitated a swift response by StrongHearts administrators who explained that feature was always a planned milestone but it was reached sooner and with a sense of urgency.

Launch Details

Launching on Monday, May 18 at 8 a.m. CT, chat advocacy at StrongHearts Native Helpline will enable victim-survivors, friends and relatives to connect with an advocate using an online chat service. Users can connect with a highly-trained advocate in a free, anonymous and confidential one-on-one chat session. There is no need to download an app or any software to use it. Users can simply click the chat icon on the StrongHearts Native Helpline website 24/7.

Increases Accessibility

This new tool increases accessibility for individuals who may be hearing impaired or those who may be uncomfortable or unable to vocalize a call for support.

“StrongHearts is really proud to be increasing access to our culturally-appropriate advocacy services during a time of great need,” said Liz Carr (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), senior Native affairs advisor. “Implementation of digital advocacy not only enhances our ability to provide advocacy services but also improves accessibility for survivors by offering a new way to reach out.” Carr added that the order to shelter-in-place created yet another barrier to using a phone to access advocacy services and that without an alternative option, survivors were at a greater risk.

Advocacy

According to StrongHearts Services Coordinator Joy Samuelson (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), the general advocacy skills used by the advocates will be the same, but prompt responses via chat will be key to providing contacts with the same level of support services they would get when calling StrongHearts. There will be few differences in how advocates respond to individuals in need of assistance; it’s tonality and how things may come across via chat that will be a new challenge.

“I am confident in our advocates and the help they provide our communities,” said Samuelson. “This will truly be an important service we provide, especially given the current state of things with Covid-19. We’re hoping to reach more people who may need us.”

Resources Resources

More from the press room....

Triumph Over Trauma Justice Is Restored
StrongHearts Native Helpline Commends the Supreme Court's Decision to Maintain Gun Control Law Further Protecting Domestic Violence Victims and Survivors
PRIDE FOR TWO-SPIRIT AND LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
StrongHearts Advocacy Critical In Indian Country
StrongHearts Celebrates Seven Years of Advocacy
Vital Funding Increases Culturally Appropriate Support and Advocacy
Love Languages For December
StrongHearts Receives $100,000 Giving Tuesday Grant from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
StrongHearts Honors Native American Heritage Month
StrongHearts Announces New Positions
StrongHearts Native Helpline: Six Years of Evolution
ICWA Upheld By SCOTUS Despite Claims of Reverse Discrimination
StrongHearts Supports Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act
StrongHearts Embraces Blue Campaign Partnership
StrongHearts Raises Elder Abuse Awareness
StrongHearts Celebrates Six Year Anniversary
StrongHearts Responds To Gun Violence
StrongHearts Stands With The Black Community
Women's Right To Safety Denied
January Is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Stalking Awareness Month Aims To Educate
Roe v. Wade: Our Work Is Not Done
StrongHearts Native Helpline Issues DVAM Statement
Impacts of the Roe v. Wade Decision
Two Donations Support StrongHearts Native Helpline
Showing Up in Support of Indigenous 2S+/LGBTQ+ Survivors for Pride Month
StrongHearts Native Helpline Publishes State Reports on Intimate Partner Violence Impacting Native Americans and Alaska Natives
StrongHearts Native Helpline Honors Our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives on May 5
Supporting Indigenous Survivors and Advocates for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
StrongHearts Native Helpline Statement on the Violence Against Women Act of 2022
StrongHearts Native Helpline Observes Five-Year Anniversary with more than 20,000 Contacts
StrongHearts Native Helpline Welcomes Three Tribal Advocacy Programs
February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Joint Statement: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Stalking Awareness Month Statement
StrongHearts Native Helpline Announces New Board of Directors
Native American Heritage Month 2021 Statement
StrongHearts Native Helpline Becomes Independent Organization
Joint Indigenous Organizations Statement About the Gabby Petito Case
Indigenous Advocacy Organizations Issue Joint Statement in Support of Survivors of Violence for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
StrongHearts Native Helpline Statement for 2021 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
StrongHearts Native Helpline Releases One Year Sexual Violence Advocacy Report
StrongHearts Native Helpline Launches Project in Michigan
Assistant Director Position Open at StrongHearts Native Helpline
StrongHearts Native Helpline Releases Chat Advocacy One-Year Report
Call for Justice is Answered by New MMIW Unit
Joint Statement: STANDING AS RELATIVES WITH INDIGENOUS SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
StrongHearts Native Helpline Launches Text Advocacy
StrongHearts Native Helpline Marks Four Year Anniversary
StrongHearts Native Helpline Announces Launch of 24/7 Operations
StrongHearts Native Helpline Receives 10,000th Call
New Tribal Division Speaks To Needs Of Tribal Nations
StrongHearts Native Helpline receives 2020 Heroes In Health National Impact Award From National Indian Health Board
Native Advocacy Organizations Release Joint Statement Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month This October
StrongHearts Native Helpline Honors October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
SCOTUS Affirms Reservation Upholds Jurisdiciton to Protect Native Women
Stacking Up The Numbers
International Day Against Homophobia Commemorated