Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth —a time to honor disabled joy and community, and to confront hard truths. Disabled people face some of the highest rates of sexual & domestic violence—and huge barriers to safety. Need support? Call: 800-838-8238 Text: 804-793-9999 Chat: vadata.org/chat Open 24/7/365

When summer hits, teens spend more time online—and that can open the door to digital dating abuse, coercion, and control. From nonconsensual image sharing to tracking through apps and devices, the risks are real—and rising. Our Hotline and Love is Respect are resources you can use if you need help.

In Q1 2025, thousands of survivors in VA reached out for help—and many were met with full shelters and stretched-thin services. The numbers tell a hard truth: violence is rising, and systems can’t keep up. Read. Share. Act. Survivors deserve more: bit.ly/3TSTb4B

This July 4th, remember: freedom isn’t real without safety, autonomy, and justice for all. Thousands of survivors in VA are still fighting for freedom from violence. Let’s build a Commonwealth where no one is left behind. Need support? Call 1-800-838-8238 | Text 804-793-9999 | Chat: vadata.org/chat

Rural hospitals are lifelines for survivors. But proposed Medicaid cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” could close 6 VA hospitals—taking emergency care, forensic exams & trauma support with them. Speak up. Share. Call your reps: bit.ly/3I6Rj5P

Our 2024 Annual Report is here! It highlights survivor-led advocacy, community support, and systems change across VA. See what we’ve built together: equity, safety, healing. Read now: bit.ly/45tftRE

Policy Director, Sanu Dieng-Cooper, spent #AdvocacyDays on the Hill urging @bobbyscott.house.gov, @mcclellan.house.gov, Rep. Rob Wittman, @kaine.senate.gov, and @markwarner.bsky.social to support survivors. Grateful for meaningful convos. The need is urgent—survivors can’t wait. Neither can we.

We're in DC for #AdvocacyDays with @nnedv.bsky.social, NAESV, & others from the movement to fight for survivors. #VOCA funds over 6,000 programs & 6M+ survivors yearly—but it's at risk. Congress must:
✅ Increase VOCA in FY26
✅ Protect tribal set-aside
✅ Use funds as intended
#SupportSurvivors #VOCA

DV & SV increase in summer due to heat, stress, alcohol, and idle time. You're not alone. Advocates at the Virginia Statewide Hotline are ready to listen and support you 24/7/365 or anyone you know that need help:
📞 800-838-8238
📱 Text: 804-793-9999
💬 Chat: vadata.org/chat/.

And this is why we have joined with 16 other state coalitions in a federal lawsuit challenging dangerous new restrictions on grants from the DOJ's OVW. We’re taking a stand to defend funding, uphold equity, and ensure every survivor has the fundamental right to access safety, healing, and justice.

We have joined 17 state coalitions in suing the DOJ over new OVW grant rules that threaten survivor services. The admin’s anti-immigrant, anti-trans, anti-equity agenda is not just harmful: it’s unlawful.
Full statement: bit.ly/4l6luYX
National release: bit.ly/44gD9aF
Legal filing: bit.ly/3FPJmkL

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is anything but: IT'S UGLY. It guts housing aid survivors need to escape abuse. Without shelters & rental help, many face unsafe choices. Housing is survival. Call your senators—urge them to oppose the bill.
#StopTheBill #SupportSurvivors #HousingIsSafety

Survivors deserve safety—no matter their immigration status. But fear of ICE near shelters & courts keeps many silent or at risk. Some face deportation for seeking help. We need policies that protect, not punish.
#EndSurvivorSilence #ProtectNotPunish

Data shows that 93% of survivors accessing services in Virginia received help with healthcare coverage or costs. Medicaid cuts would rip away this vital support. Stripping Medicaid means fewer survivors get the life-saving care they need to recover and rebuild. Read more here: bit.ly/43snLGF

Murders highlight Chesterfield's need for intimate partner violence shelter Almost 40% of the county’s 2024 homicides were from instances of IPV.

Survivors deserve resources, especially housing when they're fleeing an abuser. There's a deep connection between IPV and homelessness; it is not uncommon for survivors to choose a car or a public space over their home as the safest option in which to reside.

www.vpm.org/news/2025-05...

Congress wants to cut $290B from SNAP, a lifeline for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. These cuts would eliminate benefits for millions, including survivors and children rebuilding after trauma. Survivors need support. Contact your Congressional legislators now and tell them to #SaveSNAP

For #AAPIHeritageMonth, we name barriers survivors face: stigma, language access, immigration fears, and distrust of systems. AAPI communities build solutions—advocacy, healing, multilingual services, survivor-led justice. We honor survivors by fighting for systems that see and hear them.

Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of sexual and domestic violence. In Virginia and across the U.S., many go missing or are murdered without answers or justice. We honor their lives and call for change, awareness, and protection. #MMIWG #NoMoreStolenSisters

SDV advocates' constant exposure to trauma, long hours, and emotional labor can lead to burnout. Without care, it can mirror PTSD symptoms: nightmares, anxiety, and emotional numbness. A well-supported advocate can offer safer spaces, deeper empathy, and better boundaries.

May 1-7 marks SCAN's Resilience Week in Virginia. This year spotlights the 6 principles of trauma-informed care which are vital in supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence, fostering healing and empowerment. ​#ResilienceWeekinVirginia

In 1998, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction, ruling that the victim must have helped remove her tight jeans, implying consent. Outraged, women in the Italian Parliament wore denim in protest. In 1999, Peace Over Violence launched Denim Day to raise awareness about victim-blaming.

Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent abuse survivors, dies by suicide Other Epstein victims credited Giuffre with giving them the courage to speak out.

Research shows that sexual abuse survivors are 10X more likely to attempt suicide. 30%-50% of child sexual abuse survivors attempted suicide at least once in their life. 94% of survivors feel more hopeful about their lives when they connected with an advocate. bit.ly/3ErAhhq