A New Domestic Violence Hotline Aims to Stop People From Doing Harm – Truthout

Introduction to Innovative Domestic Violence Intervention

House of Ruth Maryland launched the Gateway to Change hotline in Baltimore, a pioneering 24/7 service dedicated to partners who use violence in their relationships. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), by addressing intimate partner violence through prevention and support.

Background and Context

Traditional Approaches and Challenges

• Conventional domestic violence responses in the U.S. have focused on criminal justice interventions, often placing victims in difficult positions regarding safety and stability.
• Victims face risks such as homelessness, legal harassment, and retaliation, highlighting the need for more comprehensive support systems.
• Domestic violence shelters are frequently underfunded and overcrowded, limiting access to safe refuge.

Need for a New Approach

The Gateway to Change hotline addresses the gap by providing support directly to abusive partners, aiming to reduce violence and promote behavioral change before escalation occurs. This approach supports SDG 16 by fostering peaceful and inclusive societies.

Program Development and Implementation

Design and Operation

1. The hotline operates 24/7, modeled after Massachusetts’ A Call For Change helpline but with expanded accessibility.
2. It functions alongside a voluntary drop-in group for abusive partners, complementing existing court-mandated programs.
3. The program is based in a community center in Baltimore, providing a welcoming environment for participants.

Evidence-Based Curriculum

• The Gateway Project revised traditional abuser intervention curricula to better reflect the experiences of predominantly Black men affected by systemic racism and disenfranchisement.
• Updated programs focus on skill-building, emotional processing, and addressing complex causes of violence such as poverty and community stressors.
• Elimination of participant fees increased program completion rates by 15%, enhancing accessibility and equity (supporting SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).

Understanding the Root Causes of Intimate Partner Violence

Research indicates that intimate partner violence often stems from multifaceted factors including:

• Lack of hope and future prospects
• Exposure to violence in childhood and community disorganization
• Societal and cultural norms around masculinity and control

Addressing these factors aligns with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by targeting social determinants of health and safety.

Impact and Outcomes

Hotline Usage and Effectiveness

• Between April and December 2025, the Gateway to Change hotline received 44 calls without active advertising, demonstrating organic community engagement.
• Callers receive non-judgmental support focused on safety strategies and behavioral change.
• The hotline serves as a low-barrier resource that complements existing victim support services.

Participant Experiences

Participants report increased emotional awareness and improved relationship skills. For example, a participant named Oliver credits the program with helping him manage emotions and build healthier relationships, contributing to SDG 3 by promoting mental health and well-being.

Challenges and Considerations

• Initial skepticism from staff and the community regarding support for abusive partners.
• Concerns about anonymity and potential for calls during active violence, which have not materialized.
• Need for sustained funding and resources to maintain and expand services amid broader cuts to domestic violence programs.

Scalability and Future Directions

The Gateway to Change model offers a replicable framework for other jurisdictions seeking innovative domestic violence interventions. House of Ruth Maryland has developed a practitioner toolkit to facilitate adoption, supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Conclusion

The Gateway to Change hotline exemplifies a transformative approach to intimate partner violence prevention by engaging abusive partners in voluntary, supportive interventions. This initiative advances multiple Sustainable Development Goals by promoting health, equality, justice, and community well-being.

Contact Information

• Gateway to Change Hotline (Baltimore): 667-240-8977 (Free and anonymous, 24/7)
• A Call For Change Helpline (Massachusetts): 877-898-3411 or Help@ACallForChangeHelpline.org (10am to 10pm ET)

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article addresses mental health, violence prevention, and support services for domestic violence survivors and perpetrators, which relate to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The focus on intimate partner violence and domestic abuse directly relates to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by addressing violence against women.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses the criminal justice system’s role, legal challenges, and innovative approaches to reducing violence and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article highlights issues faced by marginalized communities, particularly Black men experiencing disenfranchisement and systemic racism, linking to reducing inequalities within and among countries.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for survivors of violence.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • Target 5.3: Eliminate harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate and mental health indicators implied through discussions of emotional distress and intervention programs.
2. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, implied by the focus on domestic violence prevalence and support services.
3. Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, disaggregated by sex and age, referenced by statistics on intimate partner homicide victims in Maryland.
4. Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms, implied by discussions of reporting challenges and legal system responses.
5. Programmatic Indicators:
   • Number of calls received by the Gateway to Change hotline (44 calls between April and December 2025).
   • Completion rates of abuser intervention programs (noted 15% increase after eliminating fees).
   • Rates of rearrest for criminal offenses among program participants (significantly lower rates post-curriculum revision).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: truthout.org