Hotline FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hotline 24-7?
Yes. Call or submit the form any time and any day.
Is the hotline free?
Yes. All the information and resources provided by the attorneys responding to the hotline are complimentary. And, if you have a case where they can take you on as a client for civil action, you will not be responsible for upfront costs, as the attorneys will be paid only from proceeds from any settlement.
Is the hotline confidential?
Your intake is done by a specialist in helping sexual violence victims as part of the law firm. Your information is not released to the public or made available to anyone other than those who need to evaluate it to best help you. If you become a client of the firm, you will be protected by attorney-client privilege as well.
Should I call the hotline if I am in immediate danger, such as residing with my abuser?
Please call 911. The hotline is NOT connected to local police departments or hospitals.
Can I call the hotline if I am not yet 18?
Yes, but the intake specialist will likely need to contact your parent or guardian if you are a minor.
Who answers the hotline?
The call goes to an intake specialist who has trauma-informed training to best support victims when they call. They will go over how the hotline works and collect information about your situation so that the attorneys can explain all your legal options and offer you free resources.
My incident did not happen in the United States. Can I use the hotline?
Unfortunately, the hotline is only for situations that happened in the United States or tied to an entity in the United States.
What if my situation happened a long time ago?
The statute of limitations varies from case to case based on lots of variables. We encourage you to call to learn about your options.
What if my situation happened a long time ago?
The statute of limitations varies from case to case based on lots of variables. We encourage you to call to learn about your options.
What kind of information will I need to provide when I call?
You will be asked about when, where and what happened to you. You will be asked to provide your name and contact information. You are not required to answer any question, but assistance can best be provided with as must detail as you can give.
U.S. Criminal vs. Civil Courts
Common Questions | Criminal | Civil |
Who do you report to? | Police or District Attorney | Hire a civil attorney |
Who are the parties? | State vs. Alleged Offender | Alleged Victim vs. Alleged Offender |
What types of harm? | Rape, sexual assault, battery, stalking, abuse, dating or domestic violence, etc. | Emotional distress, harassment, discrimination, rape, sexual assault, battery, stalking, etc. |
Statutes of limitations = How long to file charges after incident? | Depends on state law (often 8 years; sometimes unlimited) | Depends on type of harm (often 2 years) |
Jurisdiction = Where did the incident occur? | Must file in the city, state where incident occurred | Depends on nature of the incident and parties involved |
CONTACT US
TBTN is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization. We work hard to respond to inquiries within 24 hours, if not sooner. To reach our Legal Support Team, please complete the intake form. For all other inquiries, complete our contact form. For immediate medical support, please call 911. For counseling support, call the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) Hotline at (800) 656-4673 in the US or visit our Resources section for further information.
Stay connected:
CONTACT US
TBTN is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization. We work hard to respond to inquiries within 24 hours, if not sooner. To reach our Legal Support Team, please complete the intake form. For all other inquiries, complete our contact form. For immediate medical support, please call 911. For counseling support, call the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) Hotline at (800) 656-4673 in the US or visit our Resources section for further information.
Stay informed:
© Copyright 2025 - Take Back The Night Foundation® | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use