The Hotline — InvitedNYC

Feb 23

Feb 23 The Hotline

A very special organization exists called The Hotline. We had the pleasure of attending a night of conversation at Sisley Paris for The Hotline, where we got to meet Katie Ray-Jones, the CEO, and learn more about the organization.

The Hotline is the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and it is so much more than a phone number. It is the only 24/7 national organization that has access to service providers and shelters across the United States to help people affected by domestic violence. When you go to their website you are greeted by a pop-up that tells you what to do in case you are worried about your internet usage being monitored. On their website you have access to details on what makes a relationship abusive in any sense, resources for victims and survivors, an informative blog, ways to get involved, and an online chat for those who are not able to make a phone call. The website covers all areas for someone looking for help or someone simply looking to get educated. The mission of The Hotline is to answer the call to support and shift the power back to people affected by relationship abuse. In a time where more and more people are gaining the courage to come forward and use their voice, organizations like this are so important.

Katie Ray-Jones is an exceptionally inspiring woman who has done so much for the domestic violence movement. She started as a therapist for victims, managed a shelter for victims, and managed the funding for the family violence program at the Health and Human Services Commission with the state of Texas before applying for a job with The Hotline and rising to the position of Chief Executive Officer. She is incredibly passionate about what she does and is looking for more ways to expand The Hotline to be even more helpful every day. Although this line of work can be emotionally draining, Katie Ray-Jones remains the strong, nurturing woman that these victims need when they call.

On average, twenty-four people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Coming forward not only helps the victim, it also encourages others to do the same. For more information about The Hotline, visit their website at http://www.thehotline.org.