County Conversation Podcast: Reclaiming Joy after Assault
You can live a happier, healthier life after an assault. Kathryn Harlow, a domestic and sexual violence counselor with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, tells us how on this edition of the County Conversation Podcast with host Jim Person.
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Division Director Receives Hope Award
Toni Zollicoffer took home the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance Hope Award last fall for her work on partner abuse intervention and prevention. Recommendations from the study group she led have already sparked changes in the way local and state agencies address the harm that takes place within intimate partner relationships. Learn more about Toni and her work in the Department of Family Services Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division.
County Conversation Podcast: Human Trafficking
Listen to Stacy Ziebell, program manager of the Countywide Coordination Team with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, and County Conversation Podcast host Jim Person as they discuss human trafficking misconceptions, gaps in service, and resources and support.
Top 5 Reasons to Work with Fairfax County DSVS Division
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services works with communities to transform society’s response to domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking by challenging oppression, collaborating to inform policy, and providing everybody impacted by violence with equitable access to trauma-informed support, advocacy, education, and a space for healing. Check out this article about the value of working with Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence Division.
Pronouns: Why Do They Matter?

Language matters. Language is a tool that helps us convey meaning and connect. We use words to communicate, characterize, and describe everything around us. Nothing may be more personal than the words people use to refer to us through our names and pronouns, which represent key elements of our identity.
We use pronouns and names frequently in our everyday written and verbal communication. Most of us have learned from a young age to use “she/her” for girls and “he/him” for boys. As our society has progressed in understanding gender identity, our language has also evolved. Learn how to model the use of pronouns and why this practice shows respect.
Fairfax County’s Red Flag Law Encourages People to Speak Up: Prevent a Gun Tragedy
On Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, county and community leaders, including Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ Angela Yeboah, shared information and impactful stories of the Red Flag Law’s use to prevent gun violence and issued a call-to-action for the community to contact authorities who can act quickly to prevent tragedies. Check out this video to learn more.
Hope Cards Now Offered in Fairfax County

Fairfax County now participates in the Hope Card program, a way to enforce a civil protective order and a handy resource for victims of family abuse. A Hope Card is a laminated wallet-sized card that contains all the essential information of an existing, permanent civil protection order.
Hope Cards have been around for a while but they're a new resource in Fairfax County for victims of family violence, intimate partner violence, stalking or sexual assault. The Hope Card can reduce the time on scene for officers responding to incidents of protection order violations, allow officers to verify if there is a valid protective order in place and can provide a sense of security to victims. It also helps keep officers safer by informing law enforcement about weapons involved in the incident resulting in a protective order. Learn more about the Hope Card.
Talking About It Matters: Domestic Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community
Though it might not be clear from mainstream media, domestic violence is not limited to heterosexual relationships and can affect individuals of all sexual orientations and genders.
In fact, recent research shows intimate partner violence within the LGBTQ+ community occurs at a rate equal to or even higher than that of members of the heterosexual community.
Learn more about domestic violence in the LGBTQ+ community or call the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273.
Video: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Supports Victims of Gender-Based Violence
Domestic violence and sexual violence are two separate issues and how they are addressed is different, too. Learn more about how the Department of Family Services’ Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division supports survivors of all forms of gender-based violence.
Note: This video contains images that may be disturbing or triggering.
Learn about sexual assault, domestic violence and how Domestic and Sexual Violence Services supports survivors. Get information about DSVS resources by calling the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273.
The Intersection of Gender-Based Violence and Economics
Ending gender-based violence requires us to see all the aspects of the issue. Often, when we think of intimate partner violence, we envision only bruises or broken bones—things we can see—or perhaps verbal abuse. But domestic violence takes many forms, including financial abuse, a subject that is often overlooked.
The truth is personal safety and economic security are inextricably linked for victims of domestic violence. Research from the Centers for Financial Security shows financial abuse is present in 99 percent of domestic violence cases. Learn more about the intersection of domestic violence and financial abuse, call the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hotline 703-360-7273.