(Posted 2025 August)
We’ve all heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. As this story shows, the same is true when it comes to supporting someone impacted by interpersonal violence.
A little more than a year ago, a client was referred to Domestic and Sexual Violence Services by the Fairfax County Police Department as part of the Lethality Assessment Protocol, which is designed to identify individuals at high risk of serious harm in domestic violence situations. The day after the referral, the client met with a DSVS advocate to begin addressing their immediate needs and to discuss their options. During the intake session, the client expressed a strong interest in filing for a preliminary protective order to ensure their safety.
With the advocate’s guidance, the client scheduled an appointment to pursue the protective order. Additionally, the advocate completed a referral for DSVS Counseling Services and filed a report with Child Protective Services to ensure all necessary support systems were in place. Meanwhile, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court granted the PPO.
Throughout this process, various members of the Advocacy team maintained close contact with the client. They provided a comprehensive overview of the PO hearing process, discussed safety planning options--including how to report any violations of the PO--addressed the client’s immediate needs, and facilitated referrals to relevant agencies for further support.
The client was connected to Legal Services of Northern Virginia, which provided legal representation for the PO petition, resulting in the issuance of a one-year protection order. A DSVS court advocate accompanied the client to court, ensuring they had support throughout the legal proceedings.
The advocate also reviewed and refined the client’s safety plan during follow-up sessions and facilitated a relationship between the client and the Victim Services Division for ongoing support during the criminal case. The client received holiday assistance through the Department of Family Services Adopt-a-Family program, and housing and food assistance through the Domestic Violence Action Center pantry.
This comprehensive care from DSVS ensured the client's immediate and long-term needs were addressed effectively, providing them with the resources and support necessary to navigate their situation and work toward stability and safety. To quote another old saying, the advocates would say this was all in a day's work!
If you or someone you know is experiencing interpersonal violence, call the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273 for resources and support. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
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