LAWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services

Alcohol is involved in 50% of sexual assaults. Alcohol-serving establishments have an important role to play in reducing sexual violence in Loudoun County. The Loudoun Acts team trains alcohol-serving establishment staff to become empowered to act when they see a situation that may result in sexual assault of other forms of interpersonal violence. Loudoun Acts establishments are dedicated to creating a space free from violence.

There are many myths surrounding domestic violence. At LAWS, we do our best to disspell them. Here are just a few of the most common myths about DV.

LAWS will be implementing a violence prevention program called Coaching Boys into Men this fall! Coaches can get trained on how to talk to their student athletes about healthy relationships, mental health practices, consent, and so many more topics. If you're interested in learning more about CBIM, e-mail our Violence Prevention Manager: [email protected]

Join us for a panel discussion with service providers who respond to domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn about how to keep our Community safe and find support and healing!
SPANISH: Únase a nosotros para un panel de discusión con proveedores de servicios que responden a la violencia doméstica y sexual y la trata de personas. ¡Esta será una oportunidad para hacer preguntas y aprender cómo mantener segura a nuestra comunidad y encontrar apoyo y sanación.

Do you want to make a difference and help stop domestic violence? Here are some tips on how to be a supporter to survivors.

Abuse doesn't typically start right away in a relationship. Domestic violence follows a pattern: starting with the tension-building phase, then the violence phase, and then the reconciliation phase. Swipe through to read more about each phase to help understand how domestic violence works.

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day from all of us at LAWS! Our main office is closed today, but our hotline is always available: 703-777-6552. In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day, we want to highlight a resource available specifically to Native people who may be experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault: StrongHearts Native Helpline. This helpline is run by Native advocates to provide culturally-appropriate, confidential and safe services available 24/7 nationwide.

Acompáñenos a un panel con proveedores de servicios que responden a la violencia doméstica, abuso sexual y a la trata de personas. Tendrá la oportunidad de hacer preguntas y aprender sobre cómo mantener segura a nuestra comunidad y encontrar recursos de apoyo y sanación.
Join us for a panel discussion with service providers who respond to domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn about how to keep our Community safe and find support and healing!

Stop by your local library (Sterling, Cascades, Purcellville and Ashburn) to see our Silent Witness exhibits on display. Through individual stories, each silhouette demonstrates the awful reality that domestic violence is an escalation that often results in murder. The silhouettes will be on display all through October.

LAWS has lots of events planned for Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Check out our flyer that has all the details on our DVAM events and show your support by participating!

Please read more about being safe during the Nationwide National Emergency Testing.

In honor of the Day of Unity, we'll be highlighting some of our community partners on social media today. LAWS wouldn't be able to serve domestic violence and sexual assault survivors without the allyship and partnership of other local organizations. Together we unify to support survivors and stop domestic violence!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! DVAM has been observed nationally in October for almost thirty years to shed light on the prevalence of domestic violence and how it affects survivors, families and communities. We'll be sharing information about upcoming events and activities for DVAM on our social media. Show your support for survivors by sharing our posts and participating!

Do you want to contact LAWS, but you aren't sure where to start? Here is a list of numbers if you would like to contact the hotline, the thrift store, make a donation, get involved with violence prevention, or just have general administrative questions. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, and our 24/7 survivor hotline is always available.

At LAWS, there are a few different types of advocates that work with our clients. Shelter advocates work with our clients staying in shelter, the Youth and Children's advocate works with clients' children, and the bilingual and court and community advocates work with clients to navigate the court system. Check out the venn diagram above for more information!

Come join us next month for our Domestic Violence Awareness Month Events! There are so many ways to get involved. We will be posting more information about specific events all through October so keep a look out!

If you're curious about how a caller gets screened and approved for shelter at LAWS, here is a diagram that lays it out. The survivor can call our 24/7 survivor hotline, and a trained advocate or volunteer will answer. If shelter is requested, the advocate or volunteer will conduct an assessment to determine whether the survivor is appropriate for our shelter services. If the caller is accepted, LAWS can coordinate transportation if needed. Safety planning is always a part of the hotline conversation whether someone comes into our shelter program or not.

Alcohol is involved in 50% of sexual assaults. Alcohol-serving establishments have an important role to play in reducing sexual violence in Loudoun County. The Loudoun Acts team trains alcohol-serving establishment staff to become empowered to act when they see a situation that may result in sexual assault of other forms of interpersonal violence. Loudoun Acts establishments are dedicated to creating a space free from violence.

Join us next month for a panel discussion with service providers who respond to domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn about how to keep our Community safe and find support and healing! SPANISH: Únase a nosotros para un panel de discusión con proveedores de servicios que responden a la violencia doméstica y sexual y la trata de personas. ¡Esta será una oportunidad para hacer preguntas y aprender cómo mantener segura a nuestra comunidad y encontrar apoyo y sanación.

Happy Rosh Hashanah to those who celebrate, from all of us at LAWS!

Our shelter program always welcomes donations! Gift cards are our highest need. By giving clients gift cards, we're allowing them the autonomy and power to make their own financial decisions. You can drop off donations at our main office at 105 East Market Street in Leesburg Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm; or check out our Amazon wish list! https://a.co/fUAPN9A

Today we honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. We also celebrate the bravery and selflessness of the first responders who put their lives on the line on this day. We will never forget.

LAWS' 7th Annual Corks for a Cause is just one week away! We'd like to thank all of our amazing sponsors for supporting survivors and LAWS' mission 💜
Empowerment Sponsor - Fox Rothschild LLP
Hope Sponsors - The Frederickson Family & John and Laurie Broglio
Safety Sponsors - Country Buick GMC, Mountcastle Medical Spa, Northwest Federal Credit Union, Raymond James | Tony Nerantzis & Associates, SEG Inc., STW Cleaning
Butterfly Sponsors - BCT Bank, Betty O'Lear, Carter Braxton Preferred Properties, CVCA | Cardiac Care for Pets, Falcon Heating & Air Conditioning, Terry Allen | Keller Williams Realty, The Marketing Management Group, Inc., The Owings Family, Wegmans
Founding Sponsor - JP Events & Consulting
Music Sponsor - Rob Hoey Music
Photography Sponsor - Bakerture Photography and Video
Print Sponsor - Copy General

There are only 7 days left to register for the event! Click the link below to reserve your spot 👇
https://bit.ly/LAWSCorks2023

Here are some frequently asked questions about our shelter program at LAWS. If you want more information, our 24/7 survivor hotline is always accessible: 703-777-6552.

Happy Labor Day! Our main office is closed today, but if you are in need of immediate assistance, our 24/7 survivor hotline is always available: 703-777-6552.

Our 7th Annual Corks for a Cause is less than two weeks away! This year's event features an exciting silent auction ranging from exclusive golf outings, dinners at the best local restaurants, and art pieces from local artists!

This stunning, hand-signed, original glass art panel was donated by international, award-winning glass artist Laurie Madsen Snarr Glass Studio. Her work can be found in private art collections from Los Angeles to Italy and has several pieces going on display this month at The Mansion at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.

The five roses in this piece are purple in color as tribute that honors the survivors of domestic violence.

Get your tickets today!
https://bit.ly/LAWSCorks2023

Her work can be found in private art collections from Los Angeles to Italy and has several pieces going on display at The Mansion at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.

We are hiring! Join our team as we are looking for a Senior Grants Manager (20/30 hrs./week). Apply at www.lcsj.org/careers

For September, we will be highlighting our shelter program on social media. We'll be featuring information about the different types of advocates that work at LAWS shelter, frequently asked questions, our shelter donation wish list, and more!

Our 7th Annual Corks for a Cause is just 16 days away! Make sure to register for the event and our special prize drawing for a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 Year. Only 100 tickets for the prize drawing will be sold, get yours today! 👇
https://bit.ly/LAWSCorks2023

When people share their personal stories of sexual assault and domestic violence, it helps to lessen shame and secrecy. Knowledge is power! Reading is a great way to hear others' experiences. Our staff has picked some books that are great for those who are interested in learning more about these topics.

The Loudoun Child Advocacy Center is a program of LAWS created in 2008 to develop and implement a trauma informed, child and youth-centered approach to investigating cases of child abuse and neglect. The goals of the CAC include making collaboration between involved agencies a smooth process and to provide children and their families with a safe space while investigations are being performed and to give referrals and resources if needed.

Our 7th Annual Corks for a Cause event is right around the corner! This year's event features specially prepared wine pairings developed in collaboration with Breaux Vineyards and The Polished Foxx. You won't want to miss out this year! Get your tickets before they run out: https://bit.ly/LAWSCorks2023

The Resourceful Woman thrift store is a program of LAWS that offers gently used and new clothing, books, and household items at affordable prices. All proceeds from The Resourceful Woman go directly to funding LAWS's programs! The store is located at 11 Loudoun Street SW in downtown Leesburg.

When you call our 24/7 survivor hotline at 703-777-6552, a trained advocate or volunteer will answer. An advocate will answer the call and provide needed support as well as information about services and the next steps to keep the survivor and their children safe. Safety planning is always a top priority for our hotline advocates. The advocate will work with the caller to assess what services might be needed or helpful. If shelter is requested, the advocate will explore our shelter options with the victim. If other services offered by LAWS are needed, the advocate will refer the survivor to services available at the LAWS Community Services Center. The advocate may also refer the survivor to other community resources that may be more appropriate. Calling our 24/7 survivor hotline is always confidential.

August 17th is National Nonprofit Day! LAWS is proud to be Loudoun County's designated service provider for domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse survivors.

Click below to learn more about LAWS or make a donation in recognition of !

www.lcsj.org

The Resourceful Woman parking lot will be inaccessible on Tuesday, August 15th and Saturday, August 19th. Donations cannot be accepted either of the days, but the store will be open for business as usual!

If you see a situation that could escalate to violence, you can help by intervening! Remember, safety first! Active bystanders are NOT vigilantes! You cannot effectively intervene if you are injured or put others at risk of further harm. Consider what you would do if you saw a situation that result in sexual assault...

There are lots of ways to support LAWS's mission! We accept monetary donations, in-kind donations, and we are a proud member of the United Way of the National Capital Area ( #8145) and the Combined Federal Campaign ( #23867), a way to donate through workplace giving. We also have an Amazon wish list! https://a.co/fUAPN9A

Believing survivors means believing ALL survivors. We see you. We hear you. We trust you. Share this post if you support survivors! If you are a domestic violence or sexual assault survivor looking for resources, call our 24/7 Survivor Hotline: 703-777-6552.

The Power and Control Wheel is a visual designed to be used as a resource for domestic violence survivors to understand the tactics used by abusers. Tactics include, but aren't limited to: physical violence, using coercion and threats, using intimidation, using emotional abuse, using isolation, using economic abuse, using privilege and asserting dominance, using children, and minimizing, denying and blaming. The Power and Control Wheel was developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, MN.