Vashon’s DoVE Project, which serves Islanders affected by domestic violence, will offer a dedicated hotline beginning this Friday.

Trained volunteers will staff the hotline from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, according to program manager Tavi Black. Outside of those hours, hotline calls will be forwarded to an off-Island domestic violence agency.

The line is intended for people who think they are in a domestic violence situation, Black said, as well as concerned friends and family members. The advocate will listen, assess the situation and schedule an in-person meeting if necessary for follow-up services, such as protection orders, support groups and safety planning.

The hotline is not for emergencies, Black noted, and urged people to call 911 if they are in a crisis.

Only one advocate will staff the line at a time, Black said; if people call and there is no answer, they should leave a safe number for a return call or continue calling until the advocate is able to take the call. Unanswered calls should not be a large problem, Black noted, as she expects one to two calls a week on this new line.

DoVE recently marked its one year anniversary of serving the Island, and Black said she is proud to be part of a community that has embraced this cause, including the hotline.

“We’re pleased to be offering it,” she said. “I think it’s essential.”

The number of the DoVE hotline, beginning 8 a.m. Friday, June 1, will be 462-0911.