Welcome to the 2024 March 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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My name is Abrishiel Lockett, and I am proud to say I am a new employee with Fairfax County Government. I am the new children’s counselor with DSVS Clinical Services. I am grant-funded to serve our youth and their families affected by domestic violence and/or sexual violence. I will be serving this population via telehealth and in person at our Merrifield location.
I currently have my MSW, and I am working toward my LCSW. My experience has centered around children, youth, and families. I have provided counseling, case management, crisis care, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and have worked in a school setting, youth residential program, and home-based and community-based care. My passion is working with children and their families by providing tools and techniques they can utilize after working with me. Before DSVS, I was working as a youth clinical case manager in another county, where I connected families to resources in the community. Working here at DSVS helps me to be the resource families need to get help--and not just doing the connecting.
As much as I love working with youth and their families, my leisure time is spent with my family. I have two little ones at home, so my time is usually spent running around after them and doing family activities.
Learning more about DSVS’ daily activities has increased my admiration for the volunteers we have. Volunteers help with so many things, including bridging gaps, providing essential services and resources to those in need, and amplifying our capacity to reach and help more people in need. Volunteers’ commitment, drive, and services are beyond inspiring. You all make it possible to provide well-rounded service delivery and help as many people as possible in need.
Abrishiel Lockett
Children’s Counselor
Self-care is as individual as fingerprints. The ideal activity should be whatever brings you joy. Learn more about practicing self-care for yourself, not the people in your life.
Online (or digital) dating abuse--when a partner uses technology, such as a smartphone, social media, a tracking app, or another form of technology, to threaten, harass, and intimidate the person they're dating—is becoming more common. In fact, abuse prevention advocates report a significant uptick in the number of people, particularly teenage girls, who describe digital dating abuse in their relationships. Learn what digital abuse looks like and how to stay safe.
Victim blaming happens when a victim or survivor of sexual violence is held responsible for the harm they experienced. It is a symptom of rape culture, in which our society minimizes the severity of sexual violence and normalizes attitudes and beliefs that defend acts of sexual violence. Victims of other violent crimes or health crises do not have to explain what they did to become victimized, but victims of sexual violence are too often forced to defend their actions leading up to an assault. This contributes to an environment where survivors who share their stories are blamed, disbelieved, and shamed. Learn more about victim blaming and ways to stop it.
March is Women’s History Month. DSVS invites you to view a few of Ted Talk’s favorite talks from women around the world. Learn about the value of honoring women in Kluane Adamek’s Legacy of Matriarchs in the Yukon First Nations and Halla Tómasdóttir’s presentation about the value of women in politics in Iceland.
“Without volunteers, we’d be a nation without a soul.” –Rosalynn Carter
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.
The Korean Community Service Center’s Mission Is in Their Name
The Korean Community Service Center, founded in 1974 by a pastor and his congregation to help new immigrants from Korea acclimate to this country, has grown into the largest bilingual and bicultural Korean social service agency in the D.C.-metro area. KCSC has expanded from its original mission of providing the basics--transportation and translation--to prevention, victim services, counseling and more. Learn all about how this organization promotes the well-being and quality of life for Asian Americans.
Join the Conversations!
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services has a podcast, Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence. Stay in the know with these biweekly discussions! And in observance of Women’s History Month, check out this episode about women who use violence.
… with Chris Davies
Counseling Services Supervisor Chris Davies has worked in DSVS for 19 years, first as an ADAPT counselor and then in his current position. His main role is to support counselors and interns who provide individual, family, and group counseling to people impacted by domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. He meets with counselors individually and as a team to help them do their best work, support them around challenges that arise, and keep the team coordinated with the information and resources they need to operate. He also collaborates with other DSVS teams and with partners across disciplines. A lot of his day-to-day work is spent in these kinds of meetings and addressing the many opportunities and needs that arise related to this line of service. His plan for any given day’s tasks usually gets overturned and reprioritized by lunchtime, based on the dynamic nature of the work of DSVS, but he finds this “fulfilling and inspiring.” Check the slideshow for a “typical” day in Chris’ work life.
Over the most recent holiday season I was introduced—and got somewhat addicted--to Korean dramas, particularly the romances airing on Netflix. Apparently, I’m not alone in my addiction. Between 2019 and 2021, viewership numbers for South Korean TV series jumped a mind-blowing 200% in the U.S. “Squid Game,” released on the streaming service in September 2021, became the most-watched series ever.
Meet Brittney DePoto, Hospital Accompaniment Support Advocate
Justin Louchheim became interested in Domestic and Sexual Violence Services after a close friend received DSVS services. He decided he wanted to do something to support the entity that helped her, so he asked for his donation to meet the needs of victims/survivors. DSVS is grateful for Justin’s kindness and generosity.
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In February, DSVS held a volunteer networking event in Tysons Corner Center. In this photo, volunteers Zita, Elisa, and Karen joined staff members Kendal and Lynne.