Ottawa area domestic violence text and chat lines see surge of activity over holidays

Interval House of Ottawa continues to urge anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence, or knows someone that is, to contact its text or chat services, as the agency says it experienced a surge of visitors to its platform over the holidays. 

The organization helped launch the Unsafe at Home Ottawa text and chat support program early in the COVID-19 pandemic, with the help of United Way East Ontario, Crime Prevention Ottawa, Victim Services Lanark County, and other local agencies.

Carina Maggiore with Interval House says the platform saw a spike in younger users, over the holidays, who were contemplating whether their living situations should be considered violent. 

She explains that the jump in activity on the platform added to what are already busy domestic violence hotlines.  

Maggiore adds, Unsafe at Home Ottawa calls and texts remain anonymous, even to the counselors who are on the receiving end of those conversations. 

“Interval House's position is to offer emotional support. Unless the chatter asks for more direction from counselors.”        
    
According to Maggiore, all shelters around Ottawa and Lanark County were filled to capacity during the month of December, which made the text and chat platform that much more important, as it can still provide relief to victims of domestic violence during isolation.

Unsafe at Home Ottawa can be reached by text at (613) 704-5535 or residents can log onto unsafeathome.ca.