National Domestic Violence Hotline Names New Chief Executive Officer

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is pleased to announce that Katie Ray-Jones has been named chief executive officer and president of the organization.

"The National Domestic Violence Hotline looks forward to Katie taking the organization to the next level in her role as CEO. Katie has a proven track record of serving victims and survivors of domestic violence and has a unique understanding of the importance of providing them with expert help whenever they take the brave step to reach out," said Maury Lane, chair of the board of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. 

Katie's experience in working with domestic violence victims and survivors spans more than two decades. Prior to being named to the position of president of the Hotline in 2011, she served as the director of operations for the organization. Katie has managed an emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing programs, non-residential services for survivors and their children, 24-hour hotlines, services for individuals with HIV/AIDS, housing for families who are homeless, case management programs for children who have been abused and neglected, and a therapeutic preschool for children who have witnessed violence.

Katie has also worked at a legal clinic that provided assistance to domestic violence victims seeking restraining orders and other types of legal advocacy. During her tenure at the clinic, she provided individual therapy and facilitated groups for survivors and abusers. Katie also worked for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission administering funding to family violence providers throughout the state of Texas. She is called upon frequently to inform national domestic violence policy decisions made on Capitol Hill. With her extensive background and first-hand experience working in shelters and victim support programs, Katie is often consulted by national media covering the issues of domestic violence and dating abuse in America and around the world.

"I am honored to serve as CEO and president of the Hotline which has provided services to more than 3.5 million men and women since it was first founded 18 years ago," said Ray-Jones. "Unfortunately, because of a lack of resources, nearly 78,000 calls went answered last year. In my new position, I will do my best to ensure that every person who reaches out for help gets the information they need because I strongly believe that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and the Hotline can help them on that journey."

Katie has a bachelor's degree in child and family development from San Diego State University and a master's degree in nonprofit management and leadership from the University of San Diego, as well as a master's degree in counseling and psychology.

Jones replaces Dyanne Purcell who served the Hotline for more than 17 years and retired in April.

About The National Domestic Violence Hotline

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a non-profit organization established in 1996 as a component of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Operating around the clock, confidential and free of cost, the Hotline provides life-saving tools and immediate support to enable survivors to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Callers to the hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) can expect highly trained advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in more than 170+ languages.  Visitors to TheHotline.org can find information about domestic violence, safety planning, local resources, and ways to support the organization.

The Hotline relies on the generous support of individuals, private gifts from corporations and foundations and federal grants. It is funded in part by Grant Number 90EV0407/03 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/Administration for Children and Families. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of HHS.

Contact: Information:
Lisa Lawrence
Phone: (512) 426-4904
E-mail: [email protected]

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SOURCE The National Domestic Violence Hotline