Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence
Action Alliance (VSDVAA) is a non-profit agency dedicated
to raising awareness about sexual and domestic violence,
increasing public access to resources and services, offering
opportunities for professional development and initiating
legislative and policy change that will bring Virginia closer
to our vision: a world where relationships between people
are respectful, healthy and safe.
The mission of the coalition is:
The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
is a diverse group of individuals and organizations that believe
that ALL people have the right to a life free of violence.
We recognize that sexual and domestic violence are linked
to other forms of oppression, which disproportionately affect
women, children, and other marginalized people, harming individuals,
families and societies as a whole.
We will use our diverse and collective voice to create a
Virginia free from sexual and domestic violence—inspiring
others to join and support values of equality, respect and
shared power.
Guiding Principles
The following principles were created to guide our transformation into one organization, and our progression thereafter:
As The Alliance conducts its work, it is essential that survivors, the interests of survivors, and those impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence are at the forefront of all decision-making.
Recognizing that local agencies have been the foundation of coalition work by connecting communities and survivors to statewide advocacy, we are committed to an Alliance in which Sexual Assault Crisis Centers and Domestic Violence Programs continue to be the driving force of The Alliance.
Recognizing the historical inequities between resources allocated to address sexual assault and domestic violence, we seek to create a change that includes an Alliance that equitably addresses the elimination of both sexual and domestic violence.
Recognizing that sexual and domestic violence affects all Virginians, we seek to create an Alliance where those who have been traditionally oppressed in society and/or marginalized in anti-violence work have the opportunity to be full and active participants in The Alliance. The Alliance recognizes that representation of traditionally oppressed groups is only a beginning. Intentional diversity also involves an analysis of oppression and a commitment to challenging and changing the disempowering influences of dominant culture. Everyone must share responsibility for ensuring that ALL voices are heard and valued.
Partners
The work of the coalition is supported through collaboration
with numerous public and private partners, including state
agencies (for example, the Virginia Department of Social Services,
the Virginia Department of Health, the Department of Criminal
Justice Services, and others), state policy bodies (for example,
the Family Violence Subcommittee of the Crime Commission,
the Office of the Attorney General), the courts and other
criminal justice entities (for example, the Office of the
Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the
State Police), and private partners as diverse as the Virginia
Poverty Law Center, Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, the Virginia
Bar, the Coalition for the Treatment of Abusive Behaviors
and the Virginia Community Criminal Justice Association.
For more information E-mail Info@vsdvalliance.org. E-mail is not a secure form of communication. To ensure confidentiality please call the Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.838.8238 (V/TTY).
