Welcome to the 2026 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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Hi everyone,
I’m excited to introduce myself! I recently started my position as a victim advocate with the Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC). Prior to this role, I worked as a community advocate and immigration specialist with The Women’s Center, where I had the opportunity to learn about DVAC through my contracted position. During this time, I provided court accompaniment, immigration assistance, and advocacy for survivors. I saw firsthand how wonderful the team is, how valuable volunteers are for the team, and gained an appreciation for the incredible resources Fairfax County has to offer. Before this role, I worked as a legal assistant with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Washington, D.C., where I supported individuals navigating legal processes, including asylum and U-visa petitions.
I was born and raised in the small city of Providence, Rhode Island. Growing up in the Ocean State meant spending summers at our beautiful beaches and enjoying amazing food. I still enjoy going to the beach whenever I can, and I love traveling, trying new foods, staying active, and reading thrillers/dramas.
Thank you for your time, I appreciate the work you do, and I’m really looking forward to connecting with all of you!
Julissa Hernandez
Victim Advocate
Tough Love Self-Care
Practicing self-care be hard work. But it’s worth it in the end.
- You are your own unique and wonderful thing. Comparing your life to others’ really is apples to oranges.
- “No” is a complete sentence.
- Changing your routine can help you get unstuck.
- Grow out of toxic habits. We are all a work in progress.
- Unfollow folks on social media who drag you down.
- Get your finances under control.
- Repeat, please: Therapy is a good thing.
- If it’s broken, fix it.
June is Men’s Health Month, so check out a couple of our TED Talk suggestions about men’s health and why men frequently do not reach out for physical and mental health services. This phenomenon is related to our work related to gender norms, including our community training “Unpacking Gender” and the education around gender roles we provide in ADAPT. It is a reminder that gender norms don’t only affect how we interact with each other; they can also influence how we take care of ourselves. Watch The Men’s Health Crisis and The Silent Crisis of Men's Mental Health.
The Department of Family Services Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division supports policies to remove firearms from potentially deadly situations. It’s the law: Gun owners in Virginia who have been served a final protective order must surrender their firearms. (We encourage taking it to the Sheriff’s office: 703-246-4405). By doing so, victims, their families, and our communities are safer. Learn more about the intersection of guns and domestic violence. Get additional information about Fairfax County’s resources to prevent gun violence.
On June 27, 1969, New York police raided Stonewall Inn, a bar located in New York City’s Greenwich Village, well known to the city’s LGBTQIA+ community. Police raids on gay bars were common, and on this night, the growing tensions set off a riot against the brutality and discrimination LGBTQIA+ people were facing. While this was not the first protest of its kind, activist groups, including The Mattachine Society, Gay Activists Alliance, and the Gay Liberation Front, organized a march on the anniversary of the riots with the theme of “Gay Pride.” In the years that followed, other organizations and cities developed pride parades across the country and these celebrations expanded to the entire month of June. President Bill Clinton issued the first proclamation of Pride Month in the United States in 1999. Research shows LGBTQIA+ communities face significant barriers to accessing support when experiencing violence. Learn more about the intersection of interpersonal violence and LGBTQIA+ communities.
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” –Arthur Ashe
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ podcast, Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence, is real talk on tough topics! Stay in the know with these biweekly discussions. If you have ideas for topics you’d like to hear addressed on Unscripted, email them to DSVS’ communications specialist Kendra Lee.
The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Domestic Relations Unit consists of three sub-units: Intake, Mediation, and the Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program. The largest of these is the Intake unit. This unit partners with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services to support survivors who need resources around safety planning, shelter, and transportation. Volunteer Voices sat down with Domestic Relations Unit Supervisor Marwa Hajahmed to talk about how JDRDC works and why the partnership with DSVS is essential. This is an excerpt of that conversation.
Meet Larry Peacock, ADAPT Co-Facilitator and Hospital Accompaniment Support Advocate
“I have seen how instability and violence at home show up in classrooms long before anyone names it,” says Larry Peacock, ADAPT co-facilitator and HASA. “Volunteering with DSVS felt like a way to get closer to the root of those issues instead of just managing the symptoms. I want to be close to the people who need support, stability, and empathy the most, and to show up in a way that is direct and useful.” Learn more about Larry’s journey from schoolteacher to DSVS volunteer.
