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What we help with
Dating violence
A partner who checks your phone, decides who you talk to, pressures you into things, threatens to share photos, or gets scary when you say no. Age does not make it less serious — teens experience relationship abuse at high rates, and it often starts subtly.
What it can look like
- Constant texting to check where you are
- Getting you to cut off friends or family
- Guilt, threats or silence when you say no
- Sharing or threatening to share private photos
- Blaming you for how they react
Stalking and online harassment
Showing up where you are, tracking your location, making new accounts after you block them, or getting friends to watch you. Online and in person are the same problem.
What it can look like
- Tracking your location through apps or a shared plan
- New accounts after you block them
- Showing up uninvited, repeatedly
- Messages that are meant to unsettle, not charm
- Using friends to keep tabs on you
Bullying and peer violence
Repeated targeting at school, in a group chat, or in your neighborhood. It affects sleep, grades, health and safety, and it is worth telling an adult about even when it feels like telling makes it worse.
What it can look like
- Being targeted repeatedly by the same person or group
- Rumors, exclusion, or humiliation online
- Threats of physical harm
- Being pressured to fight
- Feeling unsafe going to school or outside
Violence at home
Watching or hearing a parent be hurt is a form of harm to you. So is being hurt yourself. You are allowed to get help, and none of it is your fault.
What it can look like
- Being afraid at home
- Being hurt, or watching someone else be hurt
- Being blamed for adult conflict
- Feeling responsible for protecting a parent or sibling
- Not having a safe adult to tell
If you are under 18
Some honest information about telling an adult
People your age often do not reach out because they are not sure what happens next. Here is the straight version.
- You can call and ask questions without giving your name.
- Advocates, counselors and teachers are mandated reporters. That means if a child is being abused or neglected, they are legally required to report it. Ask an advocate what that means for your situation before you share details — they will tell you honestly.
- Being a mandated reporter does not mean they will tell your friends, your school or your partner.
- Asking for help is not the same as pressing charges, and it does not commit you to anything.
- If you are worried about a friend, you can call on their behalf.
For parents, teachers and coaches
What helps a young person open up
- Ask about the relationship, not just the incident.
- Do not make it a condition — “break up with them or I’m telling” ends the conversation.
- Believe the first version. Details come out slowly for a reason.
- Learn the platforms. Most teen stalking and harassment is mediated by a phone.
- Ask what would actually help, then follow through on it.
Bring us into your school or program
Maxine’s Arms runs community education and prevention programming for schools, youth programs, faith communities and sports teams — healthy relationships, warning signs, bystander skills and what to do next.
Right now
Lines you can call or text tonight
These are statewide and national services. They are free, confidential, available 24 hours a day, and none of them is operated by Maxine’s Arms. To reach Maxine’s Arms directly, call 773-243-5464.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Support for anyone affected by relationship abuse — including people who are unsure whether what they are experiencing counts.
800-799-SAFE (7233) Or text START to 88788 · TTY 1-800-787-3224 · thehotline.orgIllinois Domestic Violence Hotline
Illinois’ statewide 24-hour hotline. Call, text or chat with an advocate who can connect you to a program anywhere in the state.
877-863-6338 877-TO END DV · 240+ languages · the-network.orgStrongHearts Native Helpline
Culturally appropriate support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives affected by domestic, dating and sexual violence.
844-7NATIVE 844-762-8483 · strongheartshelpline.orgRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
For survivors of sexual assault, by phone or online chat, routed to a provider near you.
800-656-HOPE 800-656-4673 · rainn.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support during any mental health or emotional crisis, by call or text.
988 Call or text 988 · 988lifeline.orgIf you are in immediate danger or facing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.