Ending Sexual and Domestic Violence
One Person at a Time: Individuals

• Call the police if you hear or see an assault in progress.
• Model respectful, non-violent behavior in your personal relationships. Never use violence or humiliation to control another person.
• Speak up when others belittle women, make jokes about sexual or domestic violence, or spread stereotypes about violence.
• Wear awareness ribbons (teal for sexual violence, purple for domestic violence) to show you care.
• Educate yourself about sexual and domestic violence and the services available in your community. Visit www.vsdvalliance.org to get started.
• Envision a world where all relationships between people are healthy, respectful and safe. How would your life be different? How would the world be different?
• Your voice counts with your elected officials. Tell them your concerns and don’t forget to vote.
• Encourage your workplace to “adopt” a local sexual and domestic violence program by donating money and allowing employees time off to volunteer.
• Recognize Sexual and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Attend an awareness event that has already been planned or organize your own event.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper describing the problem of sexual and domestic violence in your community and offering suggestions for how people can become part of the solution.
• If you are having a birthday party, anniversary, or other celebration that traditionally requires gifts, ask friends and relatives to make a contribution to your local sexual and domestic violence program instead.
• Call your local radio station and ask them to dedicate a song to victims of sexual or domestic violence. Ask them to share the hotline number of your local sexual and domestic violence program or the Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-838-8238) with listeners.
• Ask your local movie theater to advertise a sexual and domestic violence hotline number during the previews.
• Call 1-800-838-8238 to request free nail files printed with the Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline number. Distribute them at your local hair or nail salon.
• Contact your local library and ask them to make a display of books about sexual and domestic violence.
• Call 1-800-838-8238 and ask for free hotline stickers. Post them in every public bathroom you visit from now on. (Get permission first!)

For more information email 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).