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Tucson domestic violence aid center launches helpline to stop violence before it occurs

Tucson’s Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse is asking for community volunteers for a new helpline program organizers hope will help stop domestic violence incidents before they occur.

Emerge already has a helpline, shelter and other resources for survivors of domestic violence.

But CEO Ed Sakwa says the new Generate Change helpline is specifically for people at risk of being perpetrators of that violence.

“Men who are using abusive behaviors who are at imminent risk of using violence in their relationship,” he said. “They might be in an argument in that moment, or just recently had an argument, and they feel like I might do something violent here but I know I don’t want to, but I need another man to talk to to kind of help me think through this differently and talk me down.”

The helpline, 520-444-3078, option 1, is available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and it’s anonymous. Sakwa says they’re looking for volunteers to go through a rigorous training program to learn to speak with callers and try to stop violence before it occurs. Partners of callers can also be given resources for services for survivors of abuse.

Sakwa says men who have perpetrated domestic violence or may do so in the future may want help to stop, but aren’t sure how to get it. He says callers to the helpline can also be directed to other peer-led services to discuss and break harmful patterns, part of the organization’s men’s education program.

“We believe that the source, the root of domestic violence comes from the socialization of men — not exclusively men by any means, but primarily,” Sakwa said. “And that means that all of us need to do this work … to unlearn what we've learned and learn something different, so that we all show up differently … and be safer for women in our lives.”

The Pima County Sheriff's Department says deputies have responded to almost 2,500 911 calls for suspected domestic violence so far this year.

Those interested in becoming volunteers should visit the Emerge site.

Alisa Reznick is a senior field correspondent covering stories across southern Arizona and the borderlands for the Tucson bureau of KJZZ's Fronteras Desk.