Welcome to the 2022 February issue of Volunteer Voices, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) volunteers.
In this Issue:
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Greetings DSVS Volunteers!
My name is Pamela Ononiwu, and I joined the DSVS team as a management analyst in June 2021.
Prior to joining DSVS, I worked in the community in finance, accounting, and project management.
Additionally, I love being part of our Fairfax County community at large and advocating on behalf of children.
During my personal time I enjoy spending time with my family and creating memories, love, and laughter. I also enjoy reading, writing, crafting, and my precious alone time, where I try to get as much vitamin D as possible on my daily walks!
I am so happy and honored to work with the fabulous team at Domestic and Sexual Violence Services within DFS!
I hope to see you all around soon!
Pamela Ononiwu
Tough-Love Self-Care
Practicing self-care be hard work. But it’s worth it in the end. Check out eight ways to give yourself the care you need.
Color Privilege: A Determinant of Appropriation of Resources
Attention to the issue of missing women has highlighted the lack of media attention upon women of color and indigenous women who go missing every day. This begs the question, why aren’t media and search-and-rescue missions equitably representative of all missing persons and victims? Though you may postulate a paucity of resources as the answer, this is a false narrative. Instead, media focus upon missing women who are white, and not those of color and indigenous women, is largely informed by who networks determine to be worthy of the utilization of resources. Find out how Cultivating Seeds of Equity and Justice believes this issue can be rectified.
DSVS has a new online resource! The Sexual Violence webpages are open to you as a volunteer and the general public. While we have always served sexual violence survivors, this is an easy-to-access resource that covers a wide range of sexual violence topics, including emotional support, hospital accompaniment, secondary survivors, triggers, and sexual harassment. Take a few minutes to look around and learn more!
Some examples of times you may share this resource:
- a caller to DVAC asks what to do after a friend discloses to them that they were sexually assaulted.
- a hospital accompaniment client wants information about managing triggers after they go home.
- a hotline caller is experiencing sexual harassment at work and looking for resources.
- an ADAPT client wants to learn more about supporting their partner who is a survivor of sexual trauma.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” –Anne Frank
Each newsletter will include this section to help share reviews, spotlight the people who support Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, recognize birthdays and list upcoming trainings and meetings.
Bethany House Plans for a Future Free of Violence
Bethany House has long empowered women and children escaping violence by providing long- and short-term housing and trauma-informed services. Find out how Bethany House's partnership with the Domestic Violence Action Center helps the organization achieve its goals.
“I Don't Want to Hit My Child; I Don't Want to Hit Anybody”
This is a review of an Opinion Essay published on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in the New York Times by Rachael Louise Snyder. The article discusses the experiences of people who used violence and have used a hotline called Respect Phoneline developed in Britain to help callers stop domestic violence. The hotline is like our current Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273 but for people who want to address their violent behavior.
The often detrimental and miserable feelings people experience after committing an act of violence against their loved ones is one of the incentives to look for help. For most people, the remorse is significant, and they wish they could do something about it. Many genuinely ask for forgiveness and never to use violence again. The honeymoon period that follows that repentance gradually wears off, things get back to normal, and the partner/children are exposed to violence again. This is because, for the most part, the abusive behavior has not been addressed.
Respect provides callers with the help they need and connects them to resources and programs like ADAPT. This hotline allows willing and ready-to-change callers to address the harmful effects of using violent behavior while taking a step closer to stop the violence-honeymoon vicious cycle many families find themselves in.
The article also discusses the experience of fear of many callers as a motivator to receive help. Parents, for example, who have used violence against their partners fear they may not see their children again if violence at home continues. For others, fear of losing the trust of loved ones, fear of losing their jobs due to constant conflicts at the workplace, and fear of being arrested are the catalysts. The fear is real, and for some, it is the biggest and perhaps the last wake-up call of their lives.
The Respect Phoneline has changed the lives of thousands of people in Britain since 2004. And the creation of similar programs like Respect is gaining acceptance in many parts of the world. Many people who have used violent behavior do feel genuine remorse and are silently crying for help; such programs can turn that remorse and fear into hope.
This article is by Dr. Ricardo Sanchez.
Meet Donna Audritsh, ADAPT Volunteer
“I volunteer because I believe it is part of living in community with others, because I believe in giving back to the communities that sustain and support me and my family, because I believe in the power of one person to make a difference, and because I have been blessed with the ability to do so,” says Donna Audritsh, ADAPT volunteer.
Learn more about Donna's volunteer story.
Allison Lowry, 8
Richard Shullaw, 11
Solyip Kim, 15
Asha Nimmalapudi, 16
Lauren Wilson, 16
David Banks, 20
Malini Rajaraman, 26
Courageous Conversations
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022
10 a.m.-Noon
We are often warned that our work with victims of sexual violence can cause vicarious or secondary trauma. However, have you ever asked, “How might my values, beliefs and feelings impact the work with clients?”
This interactive, virtual training is intended for any person working with victims of sexual violence, including -- but not limited to -- rape, incest, sexual harassment, trafficking, stalking, and domestic violence. During this learning experience, participants will be introduced to a comprehensive view of sexuality and how our worldview impacts our thoughts, values, and beliefs about sexuality.
Additionally, using a tool called the Courageous Conversations Protocol, we will examine how our worldview may impact work with clients. This professionally facilitated training is part of a research study being conducted at Widener University’s Center for Human Sexuality Studies. Training participants will be invited to be interviewed by the researcher about their experience of the training and how the presented material might impact their approach to work.
Interview participants will receive a $25 e-gift card immediately after the one-hour interview.
This training is free, but registration is required.
Catch up on Tier trainings via the two videos below.
- Forensic Exams and Inova FACT Department Services
In this training, participants will learn about forensic evidence collection processes, types of forensic exams, Physical Evidence Recovery Kits (PERKs), and how to access services provided by the Inova Ewing Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team (FACT) Department. Presenters will also discuss the role of hospital accompaniment advocates in supporting victims of sexual and domestic violence receiving forensic exams. - Responding to Human Trafficking Survivors
In this training, participants will learn about how to address the unique needs and barriers that trafficking victims face when accessing support services. The presenters will discuss how to identify trafficking and exploitation, how trafficking overlaps with other forms of abuse, and how advocates can apply existing knowledge and skills about domestic and sexual violence to supporting human trafficking survivors.
QUARTERLY TRAININGS
Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022
6-8 p.m.
Registration
Please take a moment to log on to your Volunteer Management System (VMS) account and log your hours for the month of January. Please also log any time you spent on training under “volunteer training.” If you do not see this selection under your opportunities, please email Tanisha Cox, and she will log on to add it to your account.
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Please enter your hours for each day you volunteered and not as a lump sum.
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If you need to log hours for a previous month, please email Tanisha Cox to let her know so she can be aware of the entry and expedite the approval process.
Check out past issues of Volunteer Voices.