Our Protocols

If YOU are experiencing abuse and need help:
  •  To ensure confidentiality, please call us at 404-876-0670 or 866-725-7423 during normal business hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm.
  • We are closed after hours, weekends, and some holidays. Calls are returned in the order they are received within 24-48 hours.
  • If calling is not an option, please email raksha@raksha.org to let us know safe ways to contact you. However, please note we cannot assure confidentiality while communicating through email.
  • Note: we are not a hotline. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
  • If you reach our voicemail, please leave your name, number, and a brief message and your call will be returned during the normal business hours. Please also let us know the best time to call you and if it’s safe for us to leave a message.
  • If you are under 18, please call with a trusted adult or legal guardian present and let us know if it’s safe to contact you. 

If you need immediate assistance, scroll below / click on Georgia-based or National resources

If you know someone experiencing abuse and want to help them:
  • Please encourage them to call our office directly at 404-876-0670. If they are unable to call, they can email us at raksha@raksha.org. We are able to assist better when we have the necessary information we need directly from the individual who is experiencing the abuse or violence.
  • Our helpline is open between 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. We are not a 24/7 helpline.
  • If you reach our voicemail: please leave your name, number, and a brief message to tell us the best time and number to call back and if it is safe for us to leave a message. For safety purposes, we cannot return calls if a voicemail has not been left.
  • Someone will return the call as soon as possible during the normal business hours.
  • Calls for help are addressed directly by Raksha direct services staff, who are trained and licensed to provide services and programs for survivors of violence and follow strict mandated processes and confidentiality protocols.
  • We also offer trainings to community members that can help get a better understanding of how to help survivors – such as Domestic Violence 101 and Volunteer 101 Training (a requirement for new volunteers), as well as information on Raksha services and programs. To learn more about these trainings, contact outreach@raksha.org.
Georgia-based Resources, if you need immediate assistance

If you are in Georgia and need immediate mental health help, please call the Georgia crisis line at 1-800-715-4225. Additionally, Georgia’s youth can now access GCAL’s services via text and chat through a new app called My GCAL. The app will allow youth to call, text, or chat with GCAL 24/7/365. https://www.georgiacollaborative.com/providers/georgia-crisis-and-access-line-gcal/ 

If you need referrals to Domestic Violence shelters, please check out this link for a list of local shelters: https://gcadv.org/domestic-violence-centers/ OR Call 1-800-33-HAVEN (2836)

United Way of Greater Atlanta: Call 211 or access services online at http://211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/ 2‑1‑1 is available in multiple languages, allowing those in need to access information and obtain referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions.

National Resources, if you need immediate assistance
  • Crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime for any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from a secure online platform. 
  • If you are in a domestic violence situation, please call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline t 1-800-799- SAFE (7233) https://www.thehotline.org/OR Text “START” to 88788
  • If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
  • For sexual assault concerns, please call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) https://www.rainn.org/resources
  • For Human Trafficking, please call 1-888-373-7888 https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
  • United Way 211: Call United Way at 211, a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need 24/7.