Serving the Arlington community since 1978
24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: 703-237-0881
“In Arlington, the problem has been exacerbated by shrinkage in the number of affordable housing units and an economy that has left many younger families unable to earn a livable wage, [Caroline] Jones says. There’s more public willingness to report domestic abuse, but it means more families are leaving dangerous situations with nowhere to go.” Read article.
Written by Lisa Esposito, Staff Writer, U.S. News
Somewhere in Arlington County, Virginia, there’s a safe house for members of households affected by domestic violence. Eleven beds await spouses or partners, children or other family members at risk. In back is a kennel for pets of fleeing families.
“Our shelter is for folks who are fleeing imminent danger,” says Christa Carlton, director of domestic and sexual violence programs with Doorways for Women and Families, a nonprofit community service group. “The abuse has escalated to a point where we’re concerned someone is going to end up in the hospital.”
Two safe apartments in other locations provide shelter alternatives when the main house is fully occupied, the abuser lives too close or for individual family reasons. “They’re totally confidential locations,” Carlton says. “We’re not permitted to share them with anyone, not even law enforcement.”
When people reach out to the program, the staff carefully evaluates their level of danger from violent partners, taking known risk factors – including threats of homicide or suicide, access to weapons and strangulation incidents – into account.
“Abuse escalates during pregnancy, so is there a pregnant person in the home?” Carlton says. “Has any of the abuse extended to a pet or to a child? Is there escalating violence? Is the person abusive in a public setting?” Stalking, extreme jealousy and substance abuse with unpredictable behavior also indicate potential for danger.
Meticulous planning throughout is essential for a safe transition. Household members at risk often flee to a local family or friend first. However, they can’t stay there more than a day or two because the abuser will likely find them. “So then they call us from that location,” Carlton says. “And we make a plan for them to come into our shelter.” Continue reading.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Some may wonder: Is awareness enough? As #MeToo—created 10 years ago by Tarana Burke—experiences a viral resurgence following other hashtags like #YesAllWomen and #WhyIStayed, what happens beyond the social media trend? What can awareness do? Continue reading.
Doorways for Women and Families “is looking to spread awareness in the community with their new campaign,” WDVM reported. “You can join the social media movement by posting a picture of yourself holding up five fingers, showing five must know facts.” See the broadcast recording. Visit www.DoorwaysVA.org/knowthe5 to learn more and join the movement.
Correction: The original WDVM broadcast stated that Doorways served nearly 35 million last year alone. Doorways actually served nearly 3,500 people last year.
As a friend, family member or co-worker of someone in an unhealthy or violent relationship, you may be the first person to recognize your loved one is not safe. In all likelihood, you know someone who is currently experiencing abuse or has in the past; 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
Free and confidential crisis support, information and referrals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Arlington’s 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at 703-237-0881. Whether you need emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, in-person individual or group counseling, court advocacy or a listening ear and helping hand, give us a call to discuss your situation or that of a loved one. Not in Arlington? Please see alternative resources here.
Did you know that one in three women and one in four men in the United States will be in violent relationship in their lifetime? What about the fact that families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, now approaching 40 to 50% nationally? Or that every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.
The truth is that most people don’t know these alarming facts — and, if they do, many don’t realize that it’s happening in their community. That’s right, Arlington: These issues are affecting the women, men and children of our very own county.
For the past 39 years, Doorways for Women and Families has been Arlington’s go-to resource for this escalating need. According to Doorways’ President and CEO, Caroline Jones, “Over the years, our response has grown and developed as we learned more and more about the lasting impacts of trauma and what it takes to not only help women and families escape crisis, but be empowered and achieve stability. Today, our comprehensive response to homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault in our community includes an immediate, safe response to our neighbors in crisis, including Arlington County’s only 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline (703-237-0881); safe housing options, from emergency shelter through long-term housing, including Arlington’s only Domestic Violence Safe House, Safe Apartments and Safe Kennel; and comprehensive support services that help our clients achieve and maintain stability.”
What’s surprising though is that “there are still many people who do not know the pervasiveness and impact that homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault have on the member of our community,” Jones says. In response, Doorways is launching a public service awareness campaign to inform people of these startling issues, motivate them to get involved in the cause and even, perhaps, shift the paradigm.
There are still many people who do not know the pervasiveness and impact that homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault have on the members of our community.
Enter: #Knowthe5, a social media campaign for change.
Says Heather O’Malley, Director of Development and Communications: “Through #Knowthe5, we hope to raise critical awareness of the issues facing too many of our neighbors. Once people are aware, they can make a difference; we know that when our community comes together, we can create real and lasting change.”
Supporters are asked to post selfies with their hand held up, palm facing the camera, fingers outstretched, to bring attention to five must-know facts, which will be updated each month to tell the comprehensive story. This strong and recognizable visual will urge our friends, fans and followers alike to stop the vicious cycle of violence, sexual assault and family homelessness and, ultimately, remind us all that change is in our hands.
“Our goal is twofold—first, we hope our community understands that homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault impact thousands of women, men, youth and children here in Arlington, and second, we hope that we empower them to do something about it. From gaining more support for our efforts to serve our neighbors in crisis, to changing conversations around the dinner table, we aim to create real change in our community in many ways, big and small,” O’Malley says.
To find out what the five must-know facts are and to be a part of the change, go to www.DoorwaysVA.org/knowthe5.
Local nonprofit Doorways for Women and Families is partnering with bars throughout Arlington this weekend to raise awareness of sexual assault and the resources available to survivors in our community. Starting Friday, April 28, five bars will provide customers with coasters that feature Doorways’ 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline (703-237-0881) and the message, “Sexual assault impacts everyone.” Participating bars and restaurants include The Liberty Tavern, Lyon Hall, Northside Social, Crystal City Sports Pub and O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub.
Through these coasters, Doorways aims to reach survivors and call on the community to help support them. According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds, and 54 percent of sexual assault victims are between the ages of 18 and 34. Last year alone, 187 adults and 40 children were served by Doorways’ hotline response as a direct result of sexual assault, and many more of Doorways’ clients have experienced sexual violence within their intimate relationships or in the past.
“Our goal with this outreach is twofold,” said Doorways President and CEO Caroline Jones. “First and foremost, we want to show survivors that they’re not alone. Secondly, we want to ensure that everyone is aware of the resources here in Arlington, namely our 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline—help is available in our community.”
“We want to show survivors that they’re not alone.”
Additional resources available through Doorways include hospital accompaniment provided by a highly trained advocate for survivors who choose to seek medical attention; Doorways’ Revive Domestic & Sexual Violence Counseling Program, which offers trauma-informed short-term counseling tailored to your needs to support for survivors seeking services due to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and/or stalking, including adults, youth and children; and Doorways’ bilingual (Spanish and English) Court Advocacy Program, which provides education about the legal system, companionship during the petition and court hearing processes and extensive safety planning for anyone impacted by family violence.
Doorways also stresses the importance of not blaming victims of sexual violence. The connection between sexual assault and alcohol is still widely misunderstood. “Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault,” said Christa Carlton, director of Doorways’ Domestic & Sexual Violence Program. “While perpetrators may use alcohol as a tool to incapacitate their victims, the only person to blame for assault is the one committing the violence.”
“Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault.”
As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, Doorways remains available to survivors, their friends and family and our community year round. Free and confidential crisis support, information and referrals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Doorways’ hotline at 703-237-0881. Whether you need emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, counseling, court advocacy or simply a listening ear, anyone needing support is encouraged to call Doorways to talk about their situation or that of a loved one.
From ARLnow.com
Five Arlington restaurants are partnering with local nonprofit Doorways for Women and Families to raise awareness of sexual assault and help available for victims.
Caroline Jones, Doorways’ President and CEO, and Christa Carlton, Director of Doorways’ Domestic & Sexual Violence Program, speak with Laura Weimer from the Arlington Church of the Brethren about our response to those experiencing abuse and homelessness in our community.
Download or stream from the show post: http://bit.ly/DPP_Episode25
Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/DPP_iTunes
“Eliminating domestic violence requires collaborative prevention and response efforts and the Police Department believes the partnership with Doorways is a step in that direction,” Police Chief M. Jay Farr said in a statement.
October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Arlington County Police Department has partnered with Doorways for Women and Families, our community advocate, to bring attention to this worthy cause.
During the month of October a purple ribbon, donated by Doorways, will be displayed on many Arlington County Police Department vehicles in support of the efforts to reduce the incidence and severity of domestic violence in our community.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). There are many ways to get involved, starting with learning more about the issue, our community’s response and how to support it.
