Where To Get Help for Abuse, Bullying, Violence

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Maryland State Police remind citizens of the resources available to them.

“No one should have to suffer abuse, whether that abuse is at the hands of a spouse, partner, parent, guardian, or bully,” Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown said in a statement. “Police at the local and state levels are trained and ready to take the appropriate criminal investigative and enforcement action needed in these situations."

When police intervene, they ask questions to see if there is a potential for mor violence. And they have a network available to them, including hotline counseling for the victim, information on getting a protective order, and shelters where victims can go, the release states.

So far in 2012, state troopers have made 346 arrests while investigating cases, it states. And they've taken 77 firearms from homes where domestic violence has occurred.

"There is no need to suffer in silence," Brown said, encouraging people who are being abused physically or sexually to call their local police or State Police barrack in their county.

Following are agencies that can help, according to the release:

Domestic Violence

House of Ruth
• www.hruth.org
• House of Ruth's 24-hour Hotline: 410-889-7884
• House of Ruth's Community Advocates: 410-261-3016
• Spanish Language Line: 410-554-8480
• Toll-Free Legal Hotline: 1-888-880-7884

Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
• www.mnadv.org
• 1-800-MD-HELPS or in Baltimore County: 410-828-6390
Email: info@mnadv.org

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• www.mcasa.org
• 410-974-4507

Maryland Safe at Home
• http://www.sos.state.md.us/ACP/SafeAtHome.aspx

The Women’s Law Center of Maryland
• www.wlcmd.org/domesticviolence.html

Suicide Prevention

Maryland Statewide Crisis Hotline/Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline
• 1-800-422-0009

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Commission on Suicide Prevention
• 410-402-8490
• www.dhmh.maryland.gov/suicideprevention

Maryland Suicide Hotlines
• www.suicide.org/hotlines/maryland-suicide-hotlines.html

Mental Health Association of Maryland
• www.mhamd.org

Bullying Resources

Maryland State Department of Education
• Dominic Romano, Education Program Specialist
• 410-767-0301

Maryland Bullying Prevention Initiative
• 1-800-257-7810

Children's Mental Health Matters!
• www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org

Baltimore City
• (410) 361-2235 (24 hours)

Baltimore County
• (410) 853-3000 (Option 1)
• After hours: (410) 583-9398

Visit the State Police website for more contacts in more counties

Elder Abuse

Neglect and Abuse Hotline
• 1-800-917-7383