Community Solutions to Sexual and Domestic Violence: VIRGINIA

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Preventing Sexual Violence in Latin@ Communities: A National Needs Assessment

A significant proportion of people living in the United States are of Latin@ origin – about 16%, or 50.5 million, as of 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). But the few existing studies on sexual violence against Latin@s have shown a lack of culturally relevant services for Latin@ survivors to be a substantial need. One in six Latina women report sexual victimization in their lifetime (Cuevas & Sabina, 2010). Latin@s encounter more barriers to seeking services than non-Latin@s, especially if they are immigrants (Ingram, 2007). Latin@s are also less likely to report rape victimization (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000).  

Therefore, the purpose of this needs assessment was to guage the following:

1. Who are the key groups/organizations engaging in and/or supporting sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities?

2. What are the resource needs of advocates, counselors, and other professionals in the field engaging in sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities?

3. What is the cultural competency and Spanish-language capacity of programs and organizations to serve Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities?

4. What is the most effective role of the NSVRC in supporting advocates working with Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities?

Prevention Activity book

The "Prevention Activity Book" is a fun and easy-to-use resource to share with community members and prevention program participants. The 11-page activity book has prevention-themed coloring pages, word jumbles, crosswords, and matching definition games. The activity book will introduce prevention terminology, "moving upstream", joyful sexuality, and the social ecological model. Color your own social ecological model! Solve the joyful sexuality word scramble! This resource was developed and designed by the Action Alliance for the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.

Prevention Recipe Card

A lighthearted way to explain the necessary ingredients for cooking up successful prevention efforts.

Principales hallazgos de estudio “La victimización mediante violencia sexual y sus asociaciones con la salud en una muestra comunitaria de mujeres hispanas”

Esta traducción resume los principales hallazgos del estudio “La victimización de Violencia Sexual y de las asociaciones de la salud en una muestra de la comunidad de las mujeres hispanas,” realizado por K. C. Basile, S.G. Smith, M.L. Walters, D.N. Fowler, K. Hawk y M.E. Hamburger. Los hallazgos del estudio se basan en nuestra comprensión de los efectos de la violencia sexual en mujeres latinas y pueden orientar nuestras estrategias tanto de prevención de la violencia sexual como de respuesta a ésta.

En Ingles: Sexual violence can result in many health, economic, and social struggles in the lives of survivors. This resource highlights findings from a 2015 study on sexual violence against Latina women. Findings can help strengthen our prevention and response strategies with Latin@ communities.

Protective Order Webinar Series

Protective Orders have been a lifesaving tool for survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence for many years in VA. However, a thorough understanding of whether or not a protective order is a useful tool for a particular survivor and the community structure for effective issuance and enforcement are what makes protective orders valuable tools in ensuring safety and accountability.

This 4 -part series on Protective Orders in Virginia reviewed and discussed the history of protective orders, what types are available and how survivors access them, what do advocates need to know to assist survivors in effective use of them, and finally, new firearms restrictions related to protective orders and how to build a community structure to ensure the most effective enforcement of them.

Session 1: History and Overview of Protective Orders

This webinar, facilitated by Ruth Micklem (VSDVAA) and Susheela Varky (VPLC), discusses the history of Protective Orders (PO’s) in Virginia; their purpose; and the role of advocates in PO cases.

Recording: https://youtu.be/2-l-U7AAriA
Presentation slides: http://bit.ly/POslides910
Handout 1 (History of Virginia POs): http://bit.ly/POhistory910
Handout 2 (Assessment tool): http://bit.ly/POassmt910

Session 2: Nuts and Bolts of PO’s

Caitlin Bradley (VSDVAA) covers the mechanics of PO’s - each type of PO; reviews the forms used for requesting and modifying PO’s; reviews the types of relief sought in PO’s; and discusses preparing survivors for court.

Recording: https://youtu.be/woIG4KjHmiQ
Presentation slides: https://bit.ly/POseries2slides

Session 3: Real-World Application of PO’s

Susheela Varky facilitates a panel-style discussion about the enforcement and real-world application of PO’s from the perspective of Legal Aid attorneys who are practicing on the ground. Participants were invited to submit questions beforehand and panelists shared real-world experience and perspective on PO cases, especially during COVID-19. Panelists included:

a. Sherron Ashby, Domestic Violence Attorney, Blue Ridge Legal Services (BRLS)
b. Nora Mahoney, Family Law Practice Group Chair, Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV)
c. Jamesa Parker, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEVA)

Recording: https://youtu.be/tZrogP_m_OE
Presentation slides: http://bit.ly/POseriesPPT3
Handout (VAWA Compliant Release Form): https://bit.ly/POSeriesVAWARelease

Session 4: Protective Orders and Firearms

Ruth Micklem discusses special considerations when firearms are involved. This webinar covered new legislation regarding firearms; safety considerations regarding firearms; and a discussion around community responses to firearms and PO’s.

Recording: https://youtu.be/ko8t7X1tnTQ
Presentation slides: http://bit.ly/POseriesPPT4