You deserve to feel safe.
Bridgeway is here to help — whenever you are ready.
You do not have to have it all figured out. You do not have to have left yet. Whether you are in immediate danger, thinking about your options, or just need someone to talk to — our advocates are here.
Bridgeway’s Confidential Hotline Number:
Your call is free, confidential, and available 24/7. You do not have to give your name. We will not contact anyone without your permission.
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER:
Call 9-1-1.
Otherwise, please call our hotline.
What To Expect When You Call
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Step 1: Care
We’ll start by asking how we can help. You don’t need to know exactly what you need — that’s why you’re calling. Our advocates are trained to listen without judgment. Everything you share is confidential.
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Step 2: Support
We’ll ask a few questions to understand your situation. You can take your time. There are no wrong answers. If your partner comes home while you are on the call, hang up immediately and call back when it is safe.
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Step 3: Options
Together, we’ll talk through your options. Whether you want to stay, leave, or make a plan, we will help you figure out what is right for you. You are always in control of your own choices.
Bridging the Gap to Safety
A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that can help you feel and stay safer, whether you are still in the relationship, planning to leave, or have already left. There is no one-size-fits-all plan.
An advocate can help you build one that fits your specific situation — for free and in complete confidence.
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• Identify the safest rooms in your home — avoid rooms with weapons or no exits (kitchens, bathrooms).
• Know the warning signs that a situation is escalating and have a plan for what to do.
• Memorize key phone numbers (hotline, a trusted friend, local shelter) in case your phone is taken.
• If possible, keep a small bag with essentials hidden somewhere accessible: ID, medication, a small amount of cash, phone charger.
• Tell a neighbor, friend, or family member you trust. Agree on a signal they can use to call for help.
• Know which doors, windows, stairwells, or elevators you would use to leave quickly.
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• Gather important documents when it is safe: birth certificates, Social Security cards, immigration papers, financial records, and medications.
• Open a separate bank account in your name only, even if you start with very little.
• Store copies of important documents with a trusted person or in a safe place outside the home.
• Know where you will go on the first night. Call Bridgeway’s hotline — we can help arrange housing.
• If you have children, plan for how you will safely leave with them.
• Do not announce that you are leaving. The most dangerous time for a survivor is when leaving.
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• Change your passwords and review your privacy settings on all accounts.
• Consider whether to get a new phone number or a second phone.
• If you have a protective order, keep a copy with you at all times and give one to your workplace or school.
• Let trusted people in your life know what has happened so they can help keep you safe.
• Contact Bridgeway — our advocates provide ongoing support, not just crisis response.
Every situation is different. Call our hotline and an advocate will help you build a plan that is right for you — step by step, on your timeline.
Protect yourself online
Abusive partners often monitor phones, computers, and social media. Taking a few steps to protect your digital privacy can make a real difference. You know your situation best — do what feels safe for you.
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• After visiting this site, clear your browser history. On most phones:
Settings → Browser → Clear History.• Consider using a private or incognito browsing window, which does not save history. However, your internet provider can still see which sites you visited.
• If possible, use a device your partner does not have access to — a friend’s phone, a library computer, or a work device.
• If you need to leave this site quickly, use the EXIT button in the top right corner of every page. It will take you to a neutral site immediately.
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• Check your phone for tracking apps. Look for apps you do not remember installing, especially anything labeled "family tracker," "find my," or "parental controls."
• Location sharing: check whether your location is being shared via Google Maps, Apple “Find My,” or Find My Friends, and turn it off if needed.
• Review your iCloud or Google account for shared access. If your partner knows your password, change it from a safe device.
• Consider saving Bridgeway’s hotline number under a neutral name in your contacts (e.g., a business or a friend’s name).
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• Review who can see your posts and location check-ins on all social platforms.
• Be careful about posting anything that reveals where you are staying or your daily routine.
• Consider using a separate email address for communications related to your safety that your partner does not know about.
• If you share financial accounts, be aware that account activity may be visible to your partner.
Every situation is different. Call our hotline and an advocate will help you build a plan that is right for you — step by step, on your timeline.