NVPH Statement
Of Action
The Violence Prevention Hotline provides free, confidential, expert support for people in distress and feeling compelled toward committing acts of violence in the future. Below is our statement of action to make this hotline a reality.
Violence impacts millions of people each year. A great deal of that violence is preventable.
Violence affects millions of people each year. While the causes are complex, research and experience show that many violent acts are preventable when people have access to timely, compassionate support.
The National Violence Prevention Hotline (NVPH) was created to address a long-standing gap in crisis services. The United States has national hotlines for suicide prevention, domestic violence, and other emergencies, but until now there has been no dedicated resource for people who are experiencing violent thoughts or urges and want help before anyone is harmed. NVPH exists to bridge that gap.
Crisis hotlines have a well-established history. Local suicide prevention lines began operating in the late 1950s, and in 2004 the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline made 24/7 crisis support available nationwide. NVPH follows a similar model, with a different focus: preventing acts of violence—including shootings, interpersonal violence, and rage-driven harm—by providing confidential, anonymous support to people who are struggling and seeking an alternative to acting on those impulses.
The Violence Prevention Hotline operates 24/7 and is free to use. Our counselors are trained to listen carefully, help callers slow down and de-escalate, and talk through safer next steps. When appropriate, we connect individuals to mental health professionals, local services, or emergency resources. Our work is preventative, not punitive, and centered on safety for everyone involved.
Decades of research in public health and human development have demonstrated strong links between adverse life experiences and later emotional and behavioral outcomes. Studies by researchers such as Drs. Vincent Felitti, Robert Anda, Nadine Burke Harris, and Bruce Perry have shown how exposure to abuse, neglect, addiction, family instability, incarceration, and chronic stress can affect how people respond to threat and regulate emotion. Broader social conditions such as limited access to healthcare, housing instability, food insecurity, discrimination, and unequal educational and economic opportunities can further intensify these effects, often across generations.
Understanding these factors does not excuse violence. It does, however, underscore the importance of prevention strategies that address distress early and make support accessible. Mental wellness should not be a privilege limited by income, geography, or background. It is a necessary part of violence prevention.
NVPH is guided by a shift in how we approach people in crisis. Asking “What’s wrong with you?” often reinforces shame and isolation. Asking “What happened to you?” creates space for honesty, accountability, and problem-solving. This approach makes it more likely that people will reach out before their distress escalates into harm.
Preventative intervention has been shown to reduce risk. NVPH serves individuals who are afraid to disclose violent thoughts to friends, family members, therapists, physicians, or law enforcement. We offer support regardless of a caller’s circumstances or location. Our services are especially important during the “contemplation phase,” when violent thoughts may be forming but action has not yet occurred. Intervening at this point can reduce escalation and help interrupt cycles of harm.
Like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, NVPH seeks to staff professional counselors to provide phone, text, and online chat support. Our headquarters are located in a community that supports this work and shares our commitment to prevention.
No single service can prevent every act of violence. NVPH does not claim otherwise. What we can offer is an early point of contact. We offer a place where people can pause, be heard, and find alternatives to violence. By addressing distress before it turns into action, we aim to reduce harm and contribute to safer communities.
In addition to crisis support, NVPH works with community and grassroots organizations to expand education, awareness, and prevention efforts. By approaching violence through early intervention, trauma-informed care, and collaboration, we believe meaningful reduction in harm is possible.
— Paul Krauss, MA, LPC
and the NVPH Board
Make A Donation
We’re working on securing grants to fund many of efforts we will need to make this mission a reality, but those only go so far. Every donation helps our goal of preventing violence
Funding is needed to:
- Outreach efforts.
- Staffing for call center counselors & emergency crisis workers.
- Grant writing support & nonprofit specialists.