Chat online with a trained advocate who can provide you with crisis support related to interpersonal violence.

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Your privacy and safety are crucial. Please make sure you are in a safe place and that you are using a secure device and Internet connection. Please note that while we have taken numerous measures to keep your communications safe while using our site, no Internet transmission is 100% secure. If are you experiencing an emergency, please dial 911.

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Conversations with our hotline avocation will be approximately 15 minutes, with a maximum wait time of 5 minutes between your responses. Our hotline advocates will be responding promptly to your messages. If our hotline advocates do not receive a message back within 5 minutes a quick escape will occur to end the conversation.

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Agency Confidentiality

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We are committed to maintaining complete confidentiality of both your verbal communication and written records. We do reserve the right to discuss your case between different departments to determine how we can best support you. There are a few possible exceptions to maintaining confidentiality, as DASACC staff are required by law to report the situations listed below even if you do not give permission to share or report the situation:

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• Duty to Warn and Protect: If you (or your children) disclose intentions or a plan to harm another person, DASACC staff is required to warn the intended victim and/or report this information to legal authorities. If you (or your children) disclose or imply a plan for suicide, the DASACC staff is required to notify legal authorities in order to make reasonable attempts to stop you or your children from carrying out the plan.

• Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults: If you state or suggest that you are abusing a child (or vulnerable adult) or have recently abused a child (or vulnerable adult), or a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, DASACC staff is required to report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.

 

Staff and advocates will make every effort to inform you of any reporting requirements prior to having conversations with you and will tell you when they must make a report and what information will be shared. Even when these reports are made, DASACC will not share information beyond what is required by law.

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Client’s Responsibility of Confidentiality

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As a client of DASACC, we request that you keep other information learned and/or shared about other clients confidential. If now, or at any point, you are a resident of the Safe House at DASACC, please keep the shelter location completely confidential during and beyond your residency.

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Client’s Rights

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As a client of the Domestic Abuse Sexual Assault Crisis Center (DASACC), you have the following rights regarding the confidentiality of your personal information and communications with DASACC staff and volunteers:

 

1. The information that you provide to DASACC will be kept confidential to the greatest extent allowed by law.

2. You may choose what information you want to provide to DASACC. You will not be denied access to services if you choose to not provide certain identifying information.

3. The information that you provide to DASACC, including your name, address, phone number, and other personal information will not be shared with other individuals or agencies outside of DASACC without your permission. DASACC reserves the right to discuss your case between DASACC’s different departments in effort to determine how to best support you.

4. Records are kept in a secure location and are only accessible to DASACC staff.  Your advocate may discuss your case with DASACC staff in different departments in effort to determine how to best support you.  At no time are your records shared with other outside agencies. No information is released without written consent from you.

5. Some general information about the types of services provided and overall demographics (e.g., age and income ranges, average number of children, ethnicities) of people that use DASACC’s services must be shared with the agencies and grants that fund DASACC. However, information that specifically could identify you as someone who used DASACC’s services will never be shared unless specifically authorized in writing by you.

6. After your intake with DASACC, you may choose to be referred to other agencies for additional help and support. DASACC will help assist you in accessing needed services.

7. All services provided by DASACC are free and voluntary. As a client of DASACC, you may end services at any time.

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Questions and/or Concerns

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If you have any questions or concerns about this notice or your rights, or if you have a concern that your confidential information was disclosed without consent, please contact Jill Zinckgraf, Executive Director of DASACC, at 908-453-4121, ext. 311.

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If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, we encourage you to visit this community resource that may be better suited to meet your needs:

Family Guidance Crisis Line: 908-454-5141 

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If this is an emergency, please dial 911.

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By clicking “chat,” you agree to the terms of services as previously outlined and agree that you are above the age of 13.

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