Heartly House

"The hotline people are nice but legal team victim blames and makes you feel like you should not have called in the first place . I honestly felt like they were more on the abusers side than mine , the legal team . This should not be the only option in Frederick but I suppose it is. This is a pointless scheme to get your info and I don’t know what they do with it . I do not feel helped . I would not recommend wasting your time with this organisation- just another sad part of our justice system."

"I was able to get the emotional help and support I needed, and for that I am so grateful. I couldn’t have been given a better therapist, she is amazing, caring, compassionate and empathetic. The positive impact that Heartly House has made in my life is remarkable. Thank you!"

"This was a number of years ago, but I need to share my story as I had a very similar experience that people are having with the 988 hotline right now. I was just coming to terms with my abusive childhood and the reality of what all of that meant. Heartily House did NOT notify me they were a mandated reporter until AFTER they asked me questions during my call-in crisis. I assumed they were questions to help calm me down, but instead, after a number of questions they ignored my situation and coldly told me that before they could help me any further if I didn’t call to report my abuser, within an HOUR, they would. I was COMPLETELY blindsided and had a full blackout panic attack. I lost it. Absolutely lost it. I couldn’t feel my body and all I saw was tunnel vision black. Not being transparent with people who call in a crisis is potentially deadly. How could they do that? After my husband spoke with their management at the time, I DID make the call bc I had to. I HAD TO. I couldn’t let someone else tell MY STORY. What would happen if they got it wrong or didn’t protect me? And bc it had been over 18 years since I last had an encounter with that person, the person I reported to said I hadn’t needed to call in the first place bc there was nothing they could legally do. It was utterly traumatizing and gut wrenching to hear, but also to have to go through when you don’t feel ready. This whole situation is something I STILL work through. They forced me to relive everything and more. Seek help, YES. But, do it with a place that is transparent, educated and cares about YOU. I hope they’ve seriously improved."