DateableHelplines to save in your phone before a date
Emergency numbers and support lines for sexual assault, violence and stalking in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US and Canada to call or text 24 hours.
Before you go on a date, save your country's emergency number and the lines for sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. Save them under a plain name like "Emergency" or "Support", so you can call or message without typing the topic.
Australia
Australia has a dedicated line for sexual assault, family violence and stalking. Call or text 1800 737 732, any time. You can also use online chat or video call. The service is free and confidential. 1800RESPECT 1 answers questions about sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and monitoring, and also financial and image-based abuse.
For other crises or emotional distress, call 13 11 14 (Lifeline) or call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both are 24 hours. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, the main support line is 1737, free and confidential, 24/7. Call or text 1737 for counselling and peer support. This covers relationships, stress, anxiety, loneliness and more. If you are in immediate danger, call 111.
Police also run a low-crime reporting line (105) for non-emergency situations, and you can use it to report what happened on a date that made you uncomfortable. If the situation feels urgent but not life-threatening, 105 is the right number.
United Kingdom
The UK has a dedicated National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300, free, confidential, run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust 2. It covers stalking and stalking-like behaviour, gives you information on the law, helps you gather evidence, and connects you to local services.
For sexual assault or domestic violence, call Samaritans on 116 123, any time. Samaritans listen and do not judge 3. If you have experienced image-based abuse (intimate images shared without consent), the Revenge Porn Helpline is 0345 6000 459. For immediate danger, call 999.
United States
Call or text 988 for mental health support, emotional distress, alcohol or drug concerns, or if you just need someone to talk to 4. It is 24/7, free and confidential.
For domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, you need a local hotline: each state runs its own services. Save the one that covers where you live or where your date is. A quick search for "[state name] domestic violence hotline" will find the right number. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a database at thehotline.org. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Canada
In Canada, call or text 9-8-8 for mental health support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 5. This is for people thinking about suicide or in emotional distress.
For domestic violence and sexual assault, search "[province] sexual assault hotline" to find your local line: each province runs its own. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
How to save these numbers
- Open your phone's Contacts app.
- Add a new contact for your country's main support line.
- Use a plain name like "Support", "Emergency", or "24h Help".
- Store the number and the text number if there is one.
- If the line has an online chat or video call option, write the URL in the contact's notes.
- Do the same for one local domestic violence or sexual assault line.
A plain name means you can open Contacts and dial it without saying out loud what the call is about. If you are on a date that has turned uncomfortable or unsafe, you can excuse yourself to the toilet, call the line or text it, and get advice on what to do next.
Before the date
Tell a person you trust where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to be home. Something goes wrong at every stage of dating, and the person who knows your plans is the first person who can help. Call or message them when you get home, even if it is late.
Keep your phone charged. Know how you will get home: if you drove, know where you parked; if you are using transport, check the last service time. Do not leave a drink unattended, and do not keep drinking something you have left.
If something happens
A date that makes you feel unsafe is a date you can leave. You do not owe your date your time, your explanation or a reason. Leave, call the support line or your trusted person, and report what happened if you want to.
I need to leave. I'm not feeling well. I'm going to call someone to pick me up. Thank you for tonight.
That is a complete sentence. You do not need to say more. Sexual assault, stalking and violence are crimes, whether or not you have planned the date or been intimate before. Save the helpline now, before you need it, so you know the number and can reach it when you are stressed or scared.
Sources
- 1800RESPECT (2026). 1800RESPECT.
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust (2026). National Stalking Helpline.
- Samaritans (2026). Contact a Samaritan.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (2026). 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Government of Canada (2026). Mental health support: Get help.
