Internet-Based Chat Hotline

Free. Confidential.

One-on-one chat with a Wellspring Advocate.

Currently available during business hours.

Click the blue “I’m Ready to Chat” button below to be connected to an advocate but we suggest that you take one moment to find out if this is the right way for you to communicate with us by reading the information below.

I’m ready to chat.

What is Chat?

Wellspring offers an internet-based chat hotline which is a way to connect with a Wellspring advocate through the internet (computer, tablet, or smart phone) instead of a telephone.  We recognize that so many people communicate through sending written, electronic messages now (email, text message, social media) so this may be a more comfortable way of communicating, no matter the situation. We also know that many victims of domestic violence or sexual assault may not be safe enough to get help “out loud,” meaning that getting on the phone may not be quiet or private enough. The internet-based chat allows a person to connect with us without even saying a word.

Is Chat confidential?

Yes! Not only is it confidential but it is free.

How is Chat confidential?

Wellspring uses a chat provider that is very committed to the safety and security of the information people share with us. Therefore there are several mechanisms in place to maintain confidentiality:

• Our internet-based chat is end-to end encrypted, therefore only the person seeking services and the victim advocate who they connect with can read the contents of the messages being sent. Not even the provider of the chat service can see the contents of the messages being sent and they are not stored in any way for any period of time.
• The contents of the messages do not get saved anywhere in the user’s device.
• The advocate only knows about the person seeking assistance what they tell us. So, we don’t know the person’s name unless they tell us their name. We will not know where they are from unless they tell us where they are from. With this said, no matter the context, whether during Chat or in person, our services are confidential EXCEPT in cases of suspected child abuse, intent to harm oneself, or intent to harm others.

Even though it is confidential, aren’t there security risks?

Yes. While the contents of the messages are not saved by Wellspring or the Chat service provider, there are other ways that information may be recorded by the device of the person seeking services. First, the person seeking services may choose to take screen shots of the conversation. Those pictures would be stored on their device. Second, the user’s device may have spyware or malware on it that records all activities of the device. That is we recommend that if someone is concerned that their computer/tablet/phone may not be safe and secure they should call our hotline (518-884-8188) instead of using chat. Not sure if your technology is safe? Click here to read about ways to assess if tech abuse is occurring from the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).

Please note that our internet-based chat is not texting. Texting, or SMS Chat, is less secure so we currently do not use it. The only access to our internet-based chat hotline is with an internet connection and through a web browser.

I’m ready to chat.