Everyone deserves a life free of violence. At WSCADV, we are working to create a world where all people can live and love freely without fear. Throughout 2019, we supported our member programs to best meet the needs of survivors in their communities, engaged the public to play a role in preventing violence, and offered visionary leadership to help the next generation heal from trauma.
Staying safe & survival
Staying safe and survival is the legacy of our ancestors. We need to keep dreaming of a world where violence is unimaginable.
Shira Hassan, “…And Justice For All” conference speaker
Our strength as a statewide coalition is our unity rooted in shared values of love and respect. Together, we shared many successes this year in creating a more just world by:
- bringing together over 400 survivors, advocates, and allies at our annual conference to connect and learn together;
- advocating for better laws to uphold safety, dignity, and economic stability of survivors of abuse and their children;
- launching our new Family and Friends Guide on how to help loved ones in an abusive relationship.
Love, community, & healing
The kids that you are training start to be a leader not only on the field but in the classroom. I saw immediately change inside our building. It will totally change your school.
Garfield High School principal Ted Howard
Over fifteen million children in the U.S. live in families where abuse and violence occurred at least once in the past year. Research shows that the impact on health and well-being can last a lifetime. Stable relationships with caring adults make a world of difference. That is why this year, we launched a statewide violence prevention program – Team Up Washington – with valued partners Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center and LifeWire, using youth sports as a platform to prevent dating violence and sexual assault.
More than 300 high school coaches in Washington now have the tools to mentor student athletes on ending gender-based violence. We’re using evidence-based curricula that promote integrity, equity, and respect. Like Principal Howard says, when teams get behind these values, the whole school can change.
Housing stability for kids
I met this family after their [domestic violence] shelter stay when they moved into their own apartment. Mom had escaped an abusive marriage with her two school-aged children. She juggled daytime classes, managing a business, and single parenting. On one of my first home visits, I signed the family up for low cost Internet. The younger child, a first grader, wanted to show me the math enrichment site he used at school. He told me one of his favorite things was adding.
Domestic violence survivor advocate
Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Our Domestic Violence Housing First approach focuses on getting survivors of abuse into stable housing as quickly as possible, and then providing the necessary support as they rebuild their lives.
For the 993 families receiving flexible financial assistance as a part of WSCADV’s demonstration project, almost half were able to stay in their own home and avoid homelessness as a direct result. Others went from “homeless” to “housed” or successfully moved from one home to another. The rest were able to take necessary steps to prepare to move into stable housing. Our recipe of flexible financial assistance – at an average cost of $353.79 – plus trauma-informed, mobile advocacy driven by survivors themselves, and community support, reaps huge benefits.
When survivors have choices and concrete support, they regain control over their lives and start to heal. The math adds up!
You are a vital part of WSCADV’s powerful voice and community.
Thank you for your exceptional and continued support.