SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The YWCA of North Central Indiana has created a new way for victims of abuse to find help for those that need it. Beginning Tuesday, June 23rd, people seeking help may text the 24 hour crisis hotline at 1-866-YES-YWCA.

Similar to the phone line, the text service will be staffed by crisis specialists and domestic violence counselors 24 hours a day.

“With Covid-19 a lot of people are stuck in their home with their abusers and not able to talk on the phone. We understand there are risks that come with texting while their abuser is home, but clients will be able to choose the safest option based on their unique situation,” said Jazmin Lang, Domestic Violence Advocate Team Leader.

The service can be done in English or Spanish, depending on a person’s preference.

Questions regarding services, emergency shelters, and how to develop a safety plan will be answered by the team.

“As the largest provider of domestic violence services in our community it is imperative that we continue to look for new ways to provide information to those who need us,” said YWCA CEO Susan Tybon. “For many people, especially younger generations, texting is a preferred mode of communication so adding a 24 hour text is a logical next step for us” said Tybon.