703-324-5730
TTY 711
Toni Zollicoffer,
Director
SAFETY ALERT – If you are in danger, call or text 911.
The Department of Family Services' Domestic and Sexual Violence Services offers compassionate and comprehensive state-accredited programs for women, men, teens and children who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.
Update About Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) During COVID-19
Free, short-term individual and family counseling services are now available via teletherapy. Call us at 703-324-5730 and choose the option for Counseling Services. The DSVS 24-hour hotline is still available 703-360-7273.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Raising awareness calls for proactive efforts to increase knowledge of or reshape cultural norms or false perceptions about gender-based violence.
Preventing gender-based violence requires steps to stop violence and abuse from happening in the first place by interrupting the cultural rules, norms, and constructs that support it.
Social change happens when communities are equipped with a better awareness about the issue and understanding of the actions it takes to get there. This equation is solved when individuals, families, communities, and institutions have access to knowledge and tools.
Check out the community engagement toolkit (talking points, social media, videos, articles and more) to spread the word throughout the community about the Department of Family Services Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ (DSVS) important work and services available during COVID-19.
Volunteers are an integral part of our mission of preventing and ending domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. Many of our key services depend upon dedicated volunteers. We could not do the work we do without help from our volunteers.
Be. The. One. to positively impact our community. Connect with us today!
Donations can make a difference! There are two ways you can help.
Learn more about each and make a donation.
Fairfax County Department of Family Services is on FacebookLike and Follow us on Facebook at @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices for news, events, tips, stories and training opportunities. We support families and county residents of all ages and stages of life. Join our online community and engage with us through social media. #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices
Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline