WoodTV 8: Nonprofit works to launch National Violence Prevention Hotline

Posted On:

March 3, 2023

Written By:

Meghan Bunchman

Article published by WoodTV 8 on March 3, 2023.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Grand Rapids-based nonprofit wants to create a National Violence Prevention Hotline to combat gun violence across the states.

The 24/7 number would be aimed at catching potential perpetrators before they carry out any violent act and instead connect them with local help and resources.

“The idea is very similar to the National Prevention Suicide Lifeline,” Paul Krauss, licensed counselor, said. “The difference is instead of seeking people who are feeling like a victim, saying I might kill myself. We’re looking for people in the planning stages of violent acts.”

While the phone line is not live yet due to funding constraints, since the group’s website went live, Kraus said he and other mental health experts have helped several people who’ve emailed in for help.

“Our philosophy is this: if you are considering homicide, you are suicidal. It’s just that you are the potential perpetrator of a crime and you have many of the same symptoms that a suicidal person has except mixing in the anger and opportunity for violence,” he said.

The hotline and website will offer a tiered system to help family members and friends who may wish to remain anonymous.

“Some people fear the police. They don’t trust the police. So we would be some sort of intermediary,” he said. However, “there are going to be times where our hotline would have to contact the police to get them involved depending on the situation.”

The organization is staffed by a wide range of experts volunteering their time one day a week to help. Krauss is working to attain additional grants and funding so that they can staff the hotline and website chat around the clock.

“Our idea is this if you are calling and getting help and turning in your weapons or whatever you are going to commit a crime with the justice system is going to take a more rehabilitative stance on you than somebody who commits the crime,” he said.

Written By:

Meghan Bunchman

Meghan Bunchman is a reporter at Grand Rapids WoodTV8. She is no stranger to West Michigan. She has been breaking stories in the Grand Rapids area for the past six years.

How The National Violence Prevention Hotline Can Help:

In conclusion, a national violence prevention hotline could play a critical role in reducing domestic violence by providing perpetrators with access to mental health resources and a confidential space to reach out for help. By signing the petition and supporting this important initiative, we can help create a safer and more peaceful future for everyone.

Donate To The Cause

We are building up a network that will allow our nation to scale up its response and prevention of violence. Most importantly, NVPH is addressing the need for mental health services and strengthening our nation’s behavioral health system by targeting those may not typically participate. By contributing to our cause you are working to make your community a safer place. Every dollar counts- and is tax deductible. By contributing to our cause you will immediately make your community and the world a better place. Every dollar counts.

Sign The Petition

It is the little things that makes a difference every day but it takes a village to make sustainable changes to impact the future generations. We need your support. By signing the petition to congress and SAMSHA, we can demonstrate that there is a vast community that is looking for new and innovated approaches to preventing violence and trauma in our communities. No more senseless deaths!

Send A Letter To Your Government Representatives

A 24/7 hotline requires a lot of staffing and support, and won’t be possible without government support. We need your help to deliver this information to your State and National representatives. Our team has organized a letter outlining many of the key factors representatives may look for. You can send this letter or your own in just a few clicks.