Virginia residents can now sign up to purchase a special license plate that will benefit Avalon: A Center for Women and Children.
Proceeds from the Drive Peace Home license plate program support the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault in communities across Virginia by building the Healthy Futures Fund, started by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. For Avalon to receive some of these funds, the nonprofit needs to collect at least 25 pre-paid license plate orders.
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Over two weeks, the Pentagon has suffered a string of embarrassments in its effort to show progress in curbing sexual assault within the ranks.
A Defense Department anonymous survey estimated a 35 percent increase in sexual assault and related offenses in the military over two years.
Meanwhile, three service members who directed or managed sexual assault prevention programs have been caught up in investigations that range from groping a woman in a parking lot, to pimping, to violating a protection from abuse order.
Members of Congress have called for legislation, and President Obama characterized the problem as a "scourge" after summoning military leaders to the Oval Office.
But in Hampton Roads, where thousands of active-duty troops and veterans live, the problem is nothing new.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE--A house in Albemarle County is a beacon of hope for victims of domestic violence. It was opening weekend at the Design House - which benefits the Shelter for Help in Emergency. People came out in droves to tour the Design House Sunday. Their visit is helping women and children in need of the comforts of a home. Simple touches, fresh coats of paint and thoughtful themes drew visitors to the 2013 Design House in Farmington. Organizers say the house is a reminder of the value of having a place to call home.
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Sales of Peace Begins at Home license plates that were recently approved by the Virginia General Assembly will help pay for prevention programs targeting kids.
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In keeping with its main mission to end relationship violence through education and technology, the One Love Foundation has recently released a mobile app called the One Love Danger Assessment App. This tool, backed by more than 20 years of research at Johns Hopkins University, asks users a series of questions to assess their level of danger in an abusive relationship and provides resources to get out of a potentially harmful situation before it's too late. "The app equips young people—most of whom are always on their smartphones all the time now—with a free, anonymous tool that's simple and easy to use," says Mike Meech, managing director of the One Love Foundation.
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Douglas County scores high in the number of reported sexual assaults among the 72 counties in the state – ranking fifth in the number of reported sexual assaults per capita, according to 2010 data provided from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance. Nearly 90 percent of Wisconsin sexual assaults reported in 2010 were committed by someone known to the victim. Being that April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, April 25 is the date that the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Assault, Inc. (CASDA), and the UW-Superior Gender Equity Resource Center have set aside for a march to bring publicity to this issue and promote awareness. Other awareness activities include tabling in the YU each day last week to bring up the issue of red flags in dating relationships.
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In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services will host an event to pay tribute to victims of crime and the important role of advocacy demonstrated by victims’ services providers in the Commonwealth.
Several state leaders will be participating in the event, which will be Thursday, April 25th from 11:00am until Noon at the Bell Tower on the Capitol grounds.
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The Charlottesville Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is in danger of disappearing due to funding cuts. With a staff of 12, plus two dozen volunteers and a budget near $500,000, SARA depends largely on state and federal grants. But the funding for the organization's prevention and education program relies heavily on local support. SARA's executive director says one local foundation decision to cut its funding to SARA, means the outreach program will be operating with about half of its funds.
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Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat, introduced a bill Wednesday that would take convening and prosecuting authority in sexual assault cases out of the chain of command and put it instead into the hands of a specially trained office within the military. Speier introduced similar legislation in the last session of Congress; that bill, also called the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act, or the STOP Act, gained more than 130 co-sponsors, but died in committee.
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University of Virginia students took a stand Thursday night against what they call a "silent epidemic."
All this week, they were working to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence.
"We do have problems with domestic violence and sexual assault right here in our home," said organizer Staige Davis.
The community rallied at Lambeth Field, raising awareness about sexual assault and offering support to survivors.
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