Welcome to the 2022 June 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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Hello, DSVS Volunteers!
I am Angie Acosta, the Sexual Violence Outreach Specialist. I have the privilege of working with the Hospital Accompaniment Support Advocate (HASA) volunteers. My favorite part of the job is interacting with all the different volunteers in our program. I love getting to know each of you and seeing the passion and drive you all bring.
I received my bachelor's and master’s degrees from George Mason University in criminology, law and society. After receiving my master’s, I worked at Northern Virginia Community College, in their Sexual Assault Services office. In 2015, I joined the Community Engagement Services (CES) Team in DSVS. My passion for this work started when I was 12 years old and started watching “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Yes, it is still my favorite show and I’ve never missed an episode! I wanted to grow up and be just like Olivia Benson.
I recently became a mom, and it has been the most amazing and rewarding experience. I am still not getting very much sleep, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I am not working, I love to travel and try new restaurants. My husband and I are big foodies! With a new baby, we haven’t had much time to do either, but we hope to instill these two passions in our son. If you have any recommendations of places to visit or restaurants to try, please let me know!
Angie Acosta
Sexual Violence Outreach Specialist
How to Take Care of Yourself When Someone You Love Has Been Assaulted
When you find out someone you love has survived sexual violence, there is no one way to respond. Anger, sadness, guilt—all of these and more—are normal reactions. Whatever you’re feeling, we understand these emotions can be intense. Learning how to manage these feelings can help feel less overwhelmed while you support the survivor in your life. Get tips on how to prioritize your self-care when your friend or family member is a survivor.
Cultivating Seeds of Equity and Justice
How Domestic and Sexual Violence Impact LGBTQIA+ Communities
There are currently 30 states that lack comprehensive sexual orientation and gender identity protections in state law for their citizens. In some of these states, LGBTQIA+ people can be fired, denied housing, denied access to public services, and face a whole host of other discrimination, without legal recourse. The Virginia Values Act was passed in 2020, making it illegal in Virginia to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, employment, and public accommodations, but discrimination still takes place. Find out how you can support LGBTQIA+ communities.
What is the role of men in ending intimate partner violence and, more broadly, sexist and misogynistic behavior?
During the month of June, DSVS is launching activities as part of a broader initiative from the Department of Families Services to explore how we engage with men through our programs and services. As part of that process, we will look at issues around the role of men as both allies and as promoters of change when we discuss issues of domestic and sexual violence. Check out the whole slate of programming addressing this issue DSVS has planned for June.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” –Denzel Washington
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.
Though Shelter House was founded to address the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County, the organization quickly realized half of the clients it served were affected by domestic violence. They expanded their services and today are part of the Domestic Violence Action Center partners that help provide safe spaces for survivors. Learn more about Shelter House's history and the work they do protecting the community.
"You" (All Seasons)
Get your popcorn ready! "You," the dark comedy about domestic violence and stalking, grabs your attention and sucks you in--whether you want it to or not. Ahead of a rumored season 4, DSVS Volunteer Manager Tanisha Cox took one for the team and binged the three complete seasons. Check out her review.
Meet Amalia (Mali) Rubin, Hospital Accompaniment Support Advocate (HASA) and Legislative Volunteer
“Knowing the outcome of the bills we provided analysis for was super memorable,” says Mali Rubin, hospital accompaniment support advocate (HASA) and legislative volunteer with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. “It is very cool to understand what is happening at the legislative level and feel like you had an impact.” Read more about Mali’s volunteer experience.
Jessenia Velasquez, 8
Jamie Richardson Hamilton, 9
Katherine Leon, 10
Julia Selah, 12
Sandy Guy, 13
Lily Fu, 17
Vanessa Elsasser, 19
Willmara Moye, 28
Julie Lyle, 30
Tier Two: Serving Male-Identified Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Tuesday, June 7, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
While data continues to show girls and women are disproportionately impacted by intimate partner violence, boys and men can also experience victimization and deserve holistic and survivor-centered services. Male-identified survivors of intimate partner violence face unique barriers in accessing services and disclosing their victimization. This webinar will discuss the dynamics of intimate partner violence with male victims and how they can be shaped by social norms around gender and masculinity. It will explore some of the barriers faced by male-identified victims/survivors; increase understanding of challenges for service providers working with male survivors and identify new collaborations to improve services to this population. This webinar is free, but registration is required.
The Complexities of Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse
Tuesday, July 19, 2022 3-4:15 p.m.
In domestic violence scenarios, animals frequently suffer abuse alongside the human victims. This presentation addresses the complexities that can arise from cases in which a domestic violence victim is also the primary witness to the crime of companion animal abuse; including the challenging cases that appear to rely on one person’s word against the other person’s. The presentation will utilize a hypothetical to illustrate a common scenario involving both domestic violence and cruelty to animals, and then address specific common issues that arise for the law enforcement, prosecutors, and veterinarians involved. This presentation is free, but registration is required.
What kind of trainings interest you? Send your ideas to Tanisha Cox.
There are no quarterly trainings this month.
Please take a moment to log on to your Volunteer Management System (VMS) account and log your hours for the month of May. 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.
Volunteer Voices will be on hiatus during the months of July and August 2022. We'll be back in September 2022 with expanded content. Enjoy your summer!
Check out past issues of Volunteer Voices.