Call (813) 591-0250Get Help Contact Us
HFSS is a faith-based organization based in Tampa Bay, Florida whose primary focus Is to provide FREE and confidential assistance to women and families from India and other south Asian countries, facing domestic violence, emotional abuse or family conflict.
What is abuse:
You are not alone:
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship call – (813) 591-0250
You can reach us by leaving a message or by submitting you request through the web.
Please leave a message detailing your issue along with a safe phone number and a good time to call you. One of our volunteers will call you within 24 hrs.
If this is an emergency, call 911. Police are there to help you. If you cannot speak, call and leave the phone line open. Police will find you
If you cannot speak English please let us know we will try and find a volunteer who can speak your language.
WHAT IS ABUSE: Domestic Violence:
(Also called intimate partner violence-IPV) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain control over another partner in an intimate relationship.
Domestic violence does not discriminate. Any race, gender, age, sexual orientation or religion can be a victim.
Does your partner
- Push you or hit you
- Destroy your things
- Hurt your children and pets or threaten to take them away
- Threaten to hurt your family
- Intimídates you with guns, knives, or other weapons
- Threatens to kill you or commit suicide
- Takes away your passport and visa, threatens to report you, or send you back
- Forces you to engage in sex or sexual activities
- Scares you by their looks, insulting or humiliating words, or anger
- Embarrasses you, makes you feel worthless, stupid, or crazy
- Controls what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go
- Prevents you from seeing or talking to friends or family
- Takes your money, makes you ask for money, or refuses to give you money
- Forces you to lie to the police or in court
- Makes you feel guilty for their abusive behavior
If any of these apply to you – then you may be in an abusive relationship Call HFSS for a free and confidential advice.
Staying Safe
Statistics show 65% of victims of domestic violence are unable to escape because of concern about their children, pets etc.
Develop a personalized plan that is right for you:
Here are some tips:
- Please identify areas of house that do not have weapons and are open- If the argument escalates move to those areas.
- If the arguments escalates do not move to where your children are- your partner may hurt them as well.
- If your partner threatens physical violence or if you feel scared – call 911. Police are there to help.
- Back up your car in the driveway.
- Try not wear long jewelry -they can be used against you.
- Keep a small bag with some money,passport,visa,educational documents, phone, important phone numbers ,location of shelter near you and car keys with you at all times.
Do not suffer in silence : If you are abused you are a victim,it is not your fault. No one deserves to be abused.Inform your family and friends, Develop a code word for your friends and family to know you need to get out immediately.
For more information on staying safe visit
https://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety/