Sometimes, domestic abuse victims aren't in a safe enough place to make the call that could save their lives.
Those in that difficult position can now text, e-mail or web chat with advocates at the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).
The enhanced statewide domestic violence hotline, "Safe Connect," went live on Nov. 1.
It's the product of what CCADV calls "an extensive evaluation process" that took into account how communications have expanded since the advent of the traditional telephone hotline.
"A lot of the time, we hear people who are going through domestic violence state that they were too afraid or too ashamed to call in,' says Aretha Cagno, a domestic violence survivor who is helping fellow victims on Safe Connect.
She adds, "Now, instead of calling us they can e-mail us, or text. Text messaging is a huge thing."
You can contact Safe Connect by visiting www.ctsafeconnect.org and at (888) 774-2900.