About the Chatline
The Chatline is a new service from SASS. Just like our 24-hour Crisis & Support Line, it is available for survivors and their families, friends, and community members. SASS advocates can provide emotional support, validation, and resources over the Chatline.
In order to access the Chatline, people who need support can either text our Crisis Line phone number, 541-343-7277, or they can click on the widget in the lower right hand corner of this website.
Hours of Operation
The SASS Chatline is available 9am – 5pm, Tuesday – Friday. As we continue to explore this new service, SASS will update this site and social media if there are any changes to the Chatline’s availability.
What to Expect from the Chatline
During the Chatline’s hours of operation, our advocates are online and ready to offer support. Depending on how many people are using the service at once, it might take a few minutes to hear back from an advocate.
The first message that a user will see lists the Chatline’s Terms of Use. In order to connect with an advocate, users will need to agree to those terms. The expanded terms and conditions are available below.
After agreeing to the Terms of Use, Chatline users will be connected to the first available advocate. The advocate is a real person (not AI) who is trained as a “privileged advocate”, which means they are not allowed to share any of the user’s information with anyone without their permission. This is true no matter what.
Chatline users can tell SASS advocates as much or as little about their experience as they want. Advocates can provide emotional support and information. They can also help with safety planning, which can include brainstorming strategies or finding appropriate resources that can help a person stay safe. It is important to remember that SASS Advocates are not therapists.
Sometimes, it can be hard to express emotions over text and chat. Chatline users can use brackets [like this] or words to describe how they are feeling so that SASS advocates can offer support.
Most of the time, chat conversations can last up to about an hour. If SASS Advocates do not hear back from Chatline users for more than 15 minutes, the chat will end. SASS Advocates will send a polite warning if it has been a long time since they have heard from the user. If the chat ends while the Chatline is still available, the user can start a new conversation. Once a conversation has ended, it cannot be re-opened and the transcript will not be available.
Translation Feature
SASS employs staff and volunteers who are bilingual in Spanish and English, but they are not always available. Powered by the technology provided by the Izzy Platform and Google Translate, the SASS Chatline can provide services in almost any language. Please remember, however, that this service isn’t perfect. Sometimes, the translation will be flawed and may not always represent the cultural knowledge of the user. Users who prefer live interpretation can call our Crisis & Support Line at 541-343-7277 or 844-404-7700 to talk to connect with an advocate and a live interpreter.
Privacy, Safety, and Technology
The SASS Chatline is different from the 24-hour Crisis & Support Line because privacy and safety on the internet can be challenging. SASS recommends using a private browser or “incognito mode” when using the Chatline for added privacy. In that case, the web browser would not save the user’s browsing history. However, regardless of the kind of web browser a person uses, there can be a digital record of information online. It is possible for people to monitor a person’s use of online services.
If users choose to text the Chatline, SASS will not keep a transcript of the conversation. However, unlike the version of the chat that is on the website, texts will stay on the user’s cell phone until they are deleted. If a Chatline user is concerned about their texts being monitored, we recommend deleting them as soon as possible. SASS cannot guarantee the security of information that is stored on a Chatline user’s device.
Here are some links and resources to help Chatline users (and anyone who uses the internet) stay safe when using the service:
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I chatting with a real person?
Yes, the Chatline connects users directly to SASS advocates.
Does SASS’s confidentiality policy apply to the Chatline?
Yes! All of our policies, and especially our confidentiality and privacy policies, apply to the Chatline.
Will there be a transcript of my chat?
After 24 hours, there will be no record of the conversation. There will be some data gathered so that we can report to our grantors about the services we provide, such as the length of the conversation and the date/time of the conversation. We never share private information that is stored on the Izzy Platform’s encrypted server. See the Terms of Use listed above for more specific information.
Is the Chatline anonymous?
Yes, Chatline users do not have to identify themselves and can remain anonymous if they prefer. SASS advocates will not reveal personally identifying information about themselves over the Chatline.
Terms of Use
Ripple Group Inc. (“us”, “we”, or “our”) operates http://izzyplatform.com, the phone, SMS and chat platform, as well as the Izzy Chat Widget embedded on partner sites such as Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS), www.sass-lane.org (the “Service”). This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information we receive from users of the Service.
We use your Personal Information only for providing and improving the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
Information Collection And Use
While using our Service, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to your name (“Personal Information”). You will never be required to provide personally identifiable information as a condition of receiving services.
Your Use of the Izzy Platform
The Izzy Platform is a confidential and specialized service for people who need crisis support. We do not provide emergency services and do not have police or ambulance capabilities. Please call 911 if you are in an immediate crisis. Alternatively, if you are located in Eugene or Springfield, Oregon, you can contact Cahoots for crisis support.
Izzy offers support, information and referral to local services and resources, it does not provide therapy or clinical care.
We take your privacy seriously. Information discussed through the Izzy text/chat is confidential within the Izzy service and our partner site, Sexual Assault Support Services. Your information will not be shared without your written permission.
There will be a record of your chat; however, it will be kept completely secure and confidential.
By using our service you agree to the following:
- Individuals responding to your text/chat will be treated with respect and comments of disrespect or discrimination will not be tolerated.
- You will do your best to be responsive and present in the chat, if you are unresponsive the chat may be ended.
- When your carrier’s standard messaging rates apply, you are responsible for all charges.
- Izzy is not liable for any delayed or lost texts/chat messages.
For more information about Sexual Assault Support Services’ (SASS) confidentiality policy, please visit: https://sass-lane.org/confidentiality/
Log Data
Like many site operators, we collect information that your browser sends whenever you visit our Service (“Log Data”).
This Log Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages and other statistics.
In addition, we may use third party services such as Google Analytics that collect, monitor and analyze this.
Cookies
Cookies are files with small amounts of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a web site and stored on your computer’s hard drive.
Like many sites, we use “cookies” to collect information. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Service.
Security
The security of your Personal Information is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Changes To This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy is effective as of 2024-01-24 and will remain in effect except with respect to any changes in its provisions in the future, which will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page.
We reserve the right to update or change our Privacy Policy at any time and you should check this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Service after we post any modifications to the Privacy Policy on this page will constitute your acknowledgment of the modifications and your consent to abide and be bound by the modified Privacy Policy.
If we make any material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you either through the email address you have provided us, or by placing a prominent notice on our website.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. You can also reach out to SASS with any questions regarding the agency’s services. SASS leadership can be reached at 541-484-9791 during normal business hours.