# If you are in danger right now Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/emergency/ Who to call after an attack, threats, violence at home or when you are in deep distress, and what to say first. This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice. ## Start here - If you or someone near you is in danger, call [911](tel:911), say “Russian” and stay on the line until an interpreter joins. - If the danger comes from a partner or relative, write to the City HOPE line chat in Russian: [on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat](https://on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat). You can also call, 24/7: [1-800-621-4673](tel:18006214673); say “Russian” and ask for an interpreter. - If you feel very bad or have thoughts of suicide, call or text [988](tel:988): free, 24/7, with an interpreter: say “Russian”. ## Which number to call Free numbers for urgent help in New York | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ## How to call 911 if your English is limited 1. Say your language As soon as the operator answers, say “Russian” and wait for the interpreter. 2. Say where you are Give the address or the nearest cross streets, then say briefly what happened, whether there is a weapon, whether anyone is hurt and where the person threatening you is now. 3. Stay on the line Stay on the line until the operator says you can hang up. 4. Ask for an interpreter when they arrive Tell the police who arrive “I need an interpreter”: the NYPD has interpreters, including by phone. 5. You may stay silent about status Police don't ask victims, witnesses or people seeking help about immigration status. If you are asked anyway, you have the right not to answer about your country of birth, status or how you entered the US. ## If calling is not safe 1. Choose chat or text The City HOPE line chat: [on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat](https://on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat), Russian available. Text: the State line at [844-997-2121](tel:8449972121), the national line by texting START to 88788. 2. Use another device If the abuser monitors your phone, text or call from a friend's phone or a device the abuser can't access. 3. Do not remove spyware at once Removing stalkerware can alert the abuser and raise the danger. First make a safety plan with a hotline counselor, then check the phone. 4. If you are deaf or hard of hearing Write to the City HOPE line chat in Russian: [on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat](https://on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat), or text the State line: [844-997-2121](tel:8449972121). For deaf and hard-of-hearing people: HOPE TTY [1-866-604-5350](tel:18666045350), national hotline videophone [855-812-1001](tel:8558121001). ## What happens after the call 1. The police arrive The NYPD answers [911](tel:911), and police will come. If there is no threat to life and you want advice first, contact the HOPE Hotline (chat in Russian available). 2. Talk to a victim advocate Every NYPD precinct has Safe Horizon advocates from the City's Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). They help you find support; no police report needed. 3. Go to a Family Justice Center Family Justice Centers are City centers for survivors of violence in all five boroughs. Open weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, walk-in, free and confidential, whatever your status. 4. If it was about hatred or discrimination For where to report attacks or threats over sexual orientation, gender identity, origin or religion, see “[Attacks and threats because of hatred](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/hate-incidents/)”. 5. If immigration officers worry you ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is the federal immigration agency. For what to do, see “[If ICE comes to you](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/ice-encounters/)”. ## The numbers and services in detail - 911 Any status Threat to life, an attack, fire, a medical emergency. Say “Russian” and an interpreter joins; the NYPD responds. Under a 2026 New York State law, local police may not make formal or informal agreements with ICE to act as immigration agents; cooperation with federal agencies in criminal cases continues. [911](tel:911) [portal.311.nyc.gov](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03540) - 311 Any status The City's information line: City services and complaints; for non-urgent matters it connects you to the NYC Domestic Violence Hotline or your NYPD precinct. You can also report a problem or look up information online: [portal.311.nyc.gov](https://portal.311.nyc.gov). On the phone, say “Russian” and an interpreter joins. In an emergency, [911](tel:911). [311](tel:311) [portal.311.nyc.gov](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03540) 24/7 - NYC 988 Any status Free The City's mental health line: call, text or chat if you feel very bad or have thoughts of suicide. Free and confidential; no questions about status. Counselors speak English, Spanish and Chinese, with interpreters for other languages: say “Russian”. [988](tel:988) [nyc988.cityofnewyork.us](https://nyc988.cityofnewyork.us/en/) 24/7 - NYC HOPE Hotline (Safe Horizon) Any status Free For survivors of intimate partner or family violence, crime or sexual violence: safety planning, shelter, other services. The chat at [on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat](https://on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat) is available in Russian. On the phone, say “Russian”: interpreters in 25+ languages. TTY [1-866-604-5350](tel:18666045350). [1-800-621-4673](tel:18006214673) (HOPE) [safehorizon.org](https://www.safehorizon.org/hotline) 24/7 - The Trevor Project Under 25 24/7 support for LGBTQ+ people under 25 in crisis: call, text START to 678-678, or chat. The line is in English; for Russian, call [988](tel:988) and say “Russian”. TTY [1-866-803-3699](tel:18668033699). [1-866-488-7386](tel:18664887386) [thetrevorproject.org](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/) 24/7 - National Human Trafficking Hotline Any status A confidential national hotline on human trafficking: call or text 233733. On the phone, say “Russian”: interpreters in 200+ languages. [1-888-373-7888](tel:18883737888) (text 233733) [humantraffickinghotline.org](https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en) 24/7 ## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: [All pages: Safety and your rights](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/) **Sources, checked November 2026** - [portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03540](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03540) - [nyc988.cityofnewyork.us/en](https://nyc988.cityofnewyork.us/en/) - [safehorizon.org/hotline](https://www.safehorizon.org/hotline) - [thetrevorproject.org/get-help](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/) - [humantraffickinghotline.org/en](https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en) - [thehotline.org](https://www.thehotline.org/) - [on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat](https://on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat) - [portal.311.nyc.gov](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/)