How to Respond When Someone Discloses a Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a traumatic and life-changing experience and telling someone about it is frightening. A sexual assault survivor’s physical injuries may not always be substantial, but unseen psychological and emotional injuries may be severe. You do not need to be an expert in this area, but how you respond to disclosure is critical to a survivor’s well-being and recovery.
County Conversation: Teen Dating Violence and Stalking
Debra Miller, youth education and outreach specialist, discussed teens, stalking, and healthy relationship initiatives in the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division on the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person.
County Conversation Podcast: Housing and Economic Support for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Vanessa Cullers, housing and economic specialist in the Domestic Violence Action Center, discussed housing options and economic support for victims of gender-based violence on the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person.
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.
Hand Signal for Help
If you are in danger and unable to communicate verbally, this is a universal and discrete hand signal to make bystanders aware you are at risk and need help.
1. Hold hand up with palm facing the other person.
2. Tuck your thumb into your palm.
3. Fold your fingers down over your thumb.
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.
County Conversation: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Counseling Services
Chris Davies, counseling services supervisor, discussed counseling services in the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division on the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person.
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.
From the Headlines: Sexual Violence Headlines Can Cause Victims to Relive Trauma
When news hits the front page with details of allegations of abuse of power manifested through sexual violations, survivors of sexual trauma report they are often forced psychologically and emotionally to relive their own experiences of sexual violence. Typically, intrusive memories come with no forewarning that this event, this news story, this memory will be the reminder to the survivor of what they endured. The vestiges of sexual trauma show up unannounced, unwelcomed, unanticipated, and, at times, unrelenting. Check out this article. Learn more about how Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division can support survivors and help bystanders be better allies by calling the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273, TTY 711.
Survivor Stories Video – Doug
Doug had a typical childhood until his best friend’s father groomed him and then sexually assaulted him for four years during his adolescence. He thought he had dealt with the trauma, but the effects followed him for decades. More than 30 years after his abuse ended, Doug realized he needed more help and sought out group support from Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division. Learn more about Doug’s story of survival.
Note: This video contains details from the survivor's personal story that may be disturbing or triggering. Check out more videos from Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. #SurvivorStories
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.