Arizona domestic violence hotline to shut down due to lack of funding

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A centralized life-line for domestic violence survivors is going away.

Leaders at the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence blame a lack of funding.

The move to cut the hotline known as SafeDVS is shocking shelters and nonprofits that support this vulnerable population at a time when this kind of crime seems to devastate the Valley day after day.

Officials with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence confirm SafeDVS will officially close May 15. The wait list was capped at 200 people on April 15, and leaders said the goal is to place those people before the shutdown.

The change is happening because federal pandemic relief dollars are expiring. Those funds covered about 40% of the program.

“I think the community should hear a call to action about donating to agencies that provide domestic violence services. The problem is not going away,” said Kathy Dinolfi, chief program officer at A New Leaf. “It’s a big loss for folks because it was centralized and easy and 24-7, and now it’s not.”

A New Leaf is a nonprofit that supports domestic violence survivors. For about 15 years, the SafeDVS hotline operated a centralized referral system for all domestic violence shelters in Maricopa County.

A New Leaf used to run the hotline, but in recent years it has been operated by the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

Dinolfi said victims will now have to call every shelter one by one to figure out who has space and the right resources for their specific situation.

“As they’re trying to work up the courage to, and are safe enough to make that phone call, and then to not have it available, and then they have to make maybe three to five more calls,” Dinolfi said. “It’s very disconcerting.”

In the last month, multiple domestic violence incidents have resulted in deaths, including husbands accused of shooting and killing their wives before turning the gun on themselves and a man sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend by shooting her 11 times.

Dinolfi said survivors should know services are still available.

“My biggest message, honestly, is that survivors still know there are services out there and please continue to reach out. We’re here and we will help,” Dinolfi said.

The hotline which can be reached at 480-890-3039 now plays a recorded message with information on next steps.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MARICOPA COUNTY:

Maricopa County does not manage or operate any domestic violence hotline services. The county did fund domestic violence prevention efforts during the pandemic, providing $15 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV).

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM ACESDV:

SafeDVS is a centralized shelter referral hotline serving Maricopa County which is transitioning operations May 15th. This change follows the expiration of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which previously supported the majority of the line’s operations. SafeDVS was designed as a centralized access point for individuals seeking domestic violence shelter in Maricopa County. While the line provided coordination, it is important to note that domestic violence shelters have always remained available to take calls directly from individuals and continue to provide immediate, life-saving services to survivors.

Only approximately 40% of the funding necessary to sustain SafeDVS current operations remained available. In addition, utilization data showed that only a small percentage of callers were successfully placed into shelter through the centralized line. Together, these factors made the model unsustainable.

Effective May 15, 2026, SafeDVS will no longer operate as a centralized intake and waitlist system. However, the SafeDVS phone number will remain active and will transition to a recorded message that directs callers to updated resources for accessing shelter and services.

Survivors and those assisting them will be guided to:

ArizonaSurvivors.org — a survivor-facing website that includes:

• A current, regularly updated list of domestic violence providers across Arizona
• A rotating display of Maricopa County shelter phone numbers on the homepage
• A searchable map of services by region

The Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline, a business hours line that provides:

• Confidential support, safety planning, and referrals
• Assistance connecting to shelter and community-based services
• Multiple access points, including phone, text, and chat

In addition, domestic violence shelters and the statewide Helpline have access to a shared virtual bed board, updated in real time by participating shelters. This tool will allow providers to identify available shelter space no matter what provider is contacted.

Survivors in Maricopa County will continue to have access to shelter and services. This transition shifts the approach from a single centralized line to multiple direct access points, allowing survivors to contact shelters directly based on their needs and preferences, connect with the statewide Helpline for support, or use ArizonaSurvivors.org to explore options safely and independently.

Maricopa County DV Shelter Programs

A New Leaf – CAAFA (Apache Junction)480-773-2359Singles and families, service animals and ESAs only

De Colores (South Phoenix)602-269-1515Singles and families, pet friendly, Spanish language services

A New Leaf – Faith House (Glendale)623-939-6798Singles and families

New Life Center (Goodyear)623-932-4404Singles and families, pet friendly

Sojourner Center (Central Phoenix)602-244-0089Singles and families, pet friendly, onsite childcare

Chrysalis (North Phoenix)602-944-4999Singles and families, service animals only

My Sister’s Place (Chandler)480-821-1024Singles and families, service animals only

ACESDV will continue convening providers across the state to support a smooth transition and ensure that survivors experience continuity of care.

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