Domestic violence is never a “little fight.” For adults and children living with domestic or sexual violence, it means fear, destroyed childhoods, and too often, death. Minimizing abuse or blaming the victim only excuses domination and control. These attitudes are outdated and don’t reflect what most people in this country believe: abuse is wrong.
Domestic violence is not rare, private, or harmless. It is a leading cause of injury and death for women in the U.S. and it devastates families and communities in every corner of our state. Survivors are our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and loved ones. The harm ripples outward to children, schools, workplaces, and future generations.
At WSCADV, we believe everyone deserves to live free from violence and fear. Safety, respect, and dignity are not luxuries; they are basic human rights. When we support survivors, we keep our communities safer. When we prevent violence, we create hope for the future.
That’s why it is vital to protect and sustain the programs that support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse across Washington and the country. These services save lives every day. As devastating funding cuts threaten their survival, we must be clear: survivors deserve safety, support, and hope — now and always.
This work is hard, but its heart is clear: care for each other, show up for survivors, and build communities where abuse has no place. Together, we can create a world where love means safety, not harm.