April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Doorways for Women and Families is calling on Arlington community members to learn more about the issue and take action to raise awareness this month. Doorways, a nonprofit community service organization that creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault, provides support and services to individuals and families impacted by these issues as well as community education and advocacy to address their root causes.

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Doorways is partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense, the Arlington County Police Department, the Metro Transit Police Department, the City of Alexandria’s Sexual Assault Center, PAVE, the Marymount University Counseling Center and more to raise awareness at various events throughout Arlington. On April 6, Doorways encourages community members to participate in Start By Believing Day, which stresses the importance of people’s reactions to friends and family members’ disclosures of assault, by committing to believe survivors when they say they’ve been raped or sexually assaulted. Community members can also demonstrate support for survivors by wearing teal for Teal Out on April 20. Additional information about these and more ways to make an impact are available at www.DoorwaysVA.org/SAAM.

Raising awareness that interpersonal violence impacts people in Arlington is an important part of addressing these issues. “It can be difficult to grasp the scope of the problem in our community because these issues are often hidden” said Doorways President and CEO Caroline Jones.  Last year alone, Doorways responded to 1,244 callers through their 24-hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline—a 53 percent increase over calls received the previous year—impacting 2,012 adults and children. “Thankfully, more and more people are becoming aware of the hotline and are feeling empowered to reach out to us to access the resources they need,” said Jones.

Through the hotline, Doorways offers free and confidential crisis support, information and referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, survivors of sexual assault can access Doorways’ trained staff and volunteers to accompany them to area hospitals for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (S.A.N.E.) exams. This accompaniment support is offered in partnership with Arlington County’s Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.  Hotline support is available to all survivors, regardless of their choice to pursue medical attention and/or legal action. For those in need of safe shelter to escape interpersonal violence, Doorways’ Domestic Violence Safehouse can also be accessed through the hotline.

By coming together during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we can help one another better understand the realities of sexual assault, survivors’ varied needs and so critically learn together how best to prevent and respond to sexual violence as a community.

“We are so grateful to our community partners who are supporting Doorways’ safe, immediate response to survivors and helping to educate our community,” said Jones. “By coming together during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we can help one another better understand the realities of sexual assault, survivors’ varied needs and so critically learn together how best to prevent and respond to sexual violence as a community.”

To learn more about how Doorways creates pathways leading to safe, stable and empowered lives, and to join the cause, visit www.DoorwaysVA.org. If you or someone you know needs support, please call Doorways’ 24-hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at (703) 237-0881.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Arlington County

Doorways for Women and Families, a nonprofit, community service organization that creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives, proudly announced today that October has been officially declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Arlington County.

The declaration was shared on October 6 at the Arlington County Courthouse during the Third Annual “Purple Out Courthouse” to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Nearly 100 people clad in purple gathered to take part, including the Arlington Victim/Witness Program, Police and Sheriff’s Departments, Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, County Board, Circuit Court judges, County Clerk and other community members. Arlington County Board Member John Vihstadt shared the official proclamation following Arlington County Board Member Libby Garvey, who serves as Co-Chair to Arlington’s Project PEACE. Both leaders shared inspired and moving commitment to support our community in addressing the needs of survivors of abuse.

“I’m thrilled by the show of support for our purple out event,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos. “I’m particularly gratified by this proclamation because it recognizes that domestic violence is a community problem that requires a coordinated community response. My office is committed to continuing our partnership with Doorways for Women and Families and Arlington Project PEACE to address the needs of survivors and to educate the public.”

“Behind this momentous proclamation, there is much, much more,” said Doorways President and CEO Caroline Jones. “The impressive range in attendees today demonstrates our meaningful collaboration, the collective dedication to responding to survivors and, importantly, the growing value of the importance for our community to address the range of needs survivors face. Doorways is grateful to our many community partners for their support of women, men and children impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.”

Last year, Doorways’ Domestic Violence Safehouse provided emergency shelter to 45 adults and 41 children escaping violence. Doorways’ Court Advocacy program helped 403 adults and children gain legal protections to ensure their safety. Calls to Doorways’ 24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline increased by 53 percent over those received last year, and the hotline responded to 1,244 callers, impacting 2,012 adults and children.

“Given the increasing demand for our services, recognizing the growing need for support in our community is more critical than ever,” Jones said. “Doorways is grateful to all those who are taking part in recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Arlington to bring further attention to survivors’ multiple needs and the ongoing support, resources and teamwork required to address them.”

To learn more about how Doorways creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives, and to get involved, visit www.DoorwaysVA.org. If you or someone you know is being hurt by or fearful of their partner, please call Doorways’ 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at (703) 237-0881.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2015

WHEREAS, domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, gender, and income levels; and 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, domestic violence is widespread and affects over 4 million Americans each year; with one in three Americans having witnessed an incident of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, children that grow up in violent homes are abused and neglected at a rate higher than the national average; and

WHEREAS, 2015 marks the 21th Anniversary of the Violence against Women Act (VAWA), groundbreaking legislation that comprehensively addresses domestic and sexual violence and stalking in our country; and since it was introduced, violence against family members and intimate partners in the United States has declined 67%; and reporting of such violence by both women and men has increased; and

WHEREAS, Arlington County has benefited from the establishment of a coordinated community response (Project PEACE) to violence that encourages victim safety and offender accountability; and Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn more about preventing domestic violence and to show support for the numerous organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy, services and assistance to victims;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mary Hughes Hynes, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, do hereby proclaim October 2015, as

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

in Arlington County, to honor people impacted by domestic violence and those in our community committed to ensuring a proactive and coordinated community response to domestic violence, and urge our residents to work together to eliminate domestic violence from our community.