People in the US searching Google for information related to domestic violence will now see contact information for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
A box highlighting direct access to the hotline’s phone and chat services will appear above Google’s results, offering victims immediate information and support.
“Finding the right information quickly is essential for survivors, as their window to safely reach out for support may be limited,” according to Crystal Justice, chief external affairs officer at the hotline—a 24-hour confidential service for those affected by intimate partner violence (IPV).
IPV is defined by the group as “a pattern of behavior used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner.” It affects more than 12 million people in the US alone each year, and has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hotline’s mission, outlined in Justice’s announcement, is to “answer the call to support and shift power back to those affected by relationship abuse—24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.” That includes answering questions and giving advice about managing online search and browsing history, using public computers, and setting up an alternate email account.
This isn’t Google’s first helpline rodeo. As CNET points out, the company previously partnered with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to provide contact information alongside related search results. Google also features quick-access boxes for other crisis situations like sexual assault and drug addiction.
