Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a projected $15 million, five-year grant to establish the first-ever National Indigenous Domestic Violence Hotline (NIDVH). The hotline, authorized under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), will be operated by StrongHearts Native Helpline and aims to provide culturally grounded, 24/7 support for Native American survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
“This investment ensures that Native survivors, many of whom live in rural or under-resourced areas, have access to 24/7 lifesaving support,” said Andrew Gradison, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). “By creating the first National Indigenous Domestic Violence Hotline, the Trump Administration is responding to decades of Tribal leaders’ advocacy for dedicated American Indian and Alaska Native domestic violence services.”
According to research, more than four out of five American Indian and Alaska Native women experience violence in their lifetimes, with domestic and sexual assault rates far higher than those among non-Native women. The new hotline, reachable at 1-844-762-8483, will offer confidential, toll-free support via phone, text, and online chat, staffed by advocates trained in Tribal cultures, sovereignty, and jurisdictional issues.
In addition to direct survivor support, the NIDVH will:
- Maintain a national database of tribal and non-tribal service providers.
- Ensure accessibility for people with disabilities and limited English proficiency.
- Coordinate with other national and local hotlines.
- Conduct public awareness campaigns across Indian Country and the U.S.
The hotline will also contribute to the FVPSA Training and Technical Assistance Resource Network, integrating Native community experiences into national domestic violence policy and program development. The project provides up to $2.99 million annually over five years.
For more information on the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services, visit acf.gov/ofvps.
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