Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

10/16/2026

💜 Be the Voice. Be the Support. Be the Difference.

Every survivor deserves someone in their corner. Our Volunteer Sexual Assault Advocacy Training equips compassionate community members with the skills and knowledge needed to support survivors through some of their most challenging moments.

Join us on November 6, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at our public office and learn how advocacy can help survivors find hope, healing, and empowerment.

📧 Reserve your spot today: [email protected]

Your time, compassion, and commitment can change lives.

10/16/2026

💜 Wear Purple Day | Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) 💜

Today, we wear purple to raise awareness, honor survivors, and stand together in the movement to end domestic violence.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recognize the strength, courage, and resilience of survivors who continue to heal, grow, and thrive. We also acknowledge the importance of community support, advocacy, and education in creating safer futures for everyone.

A special thank you to our incredible staff, whose compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment make a difference every day. Your work provides hope, support, and empowerment to survivors when they need it most. We are grateful for the care, expertise, and heart you bring to this mission.

Together, we raise awareness. Together, we support survivors. Together, we work toward a future free from violence.

💜

10/15/2026

💜 Wear Purple. Stand with Survivors. Save 15%. 💜

October 15th is Wear Purple Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and showing support for survivors of domestic violence.

To honor this important day, we're offering 15% off tickets to our upcoming Costumes for a Cause fundraiser.

🎟️ Use promo code: WearPurple @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/costume-for-a-cause-tickets-1997478888125?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Your ticket helps fund life-changing services for survivors and their families while treating you to an evening of fun, connection, and community impact.

🎃 Costumes for a Cause
📅 October 22, 2026
📍 The Warehouse
⏰ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Together, we can turn one night of fun into hope for those who need it most. 💜

10/15/2026

💜 Safety Planning: A Critical Step Toward Safety and Empowerment

Domestic violence can create unpredictable and dangerous situations, making it difficult to know what to do when a crisis occurs. That's why having a safety plan is so important.

A safety plan is a personalized, practical strategy designed to help individuals experiencing abuse stay as safe as possible while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after separation. Because every situation is unique, safety planning should be tailored to each person's needs, circumstances, and level of risk.

A safety plan may include:
✅ Identifying trusted friends, family members, or neighbors who can provide support
✅ Creating a code word or phrase to signal when help is needed
✅ Keeping important documents, medications, and emergency contacts in a safe and accessible location
✅ Planning safe exits from the home during dangerous situations
✅ Documenting incidents of abuse when it is safe to do so
✅ Preparing an emergency bag with essential items
✅ Learning about community resources, shelters, and advocacy services

Many people believe leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous step, but the risk of violence can often increase during separation. Having a carefully developed safety plan can help reduce risk and provide options during critical moments.

Remember: You do not have to go through this alone. Support is available, and safety planning is a powerful tool that helps survivors make informed decisions while prioritizing their well-being and the well-being of their children.

💜 Every survivor deserves a plan. Every survivor deserves support. Every survivor deserves safety.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, reach out to a local domestic violence program, advocate, or crisis hotline for confidential assistance.

10/14/2026

Breaking the silence can save lives.

Domestic violence thrives in secrecy, shame, and fear. When we talk openly about abuse, we help survivors know they are not alone, not to blame, and that support is available.

Every conversation challenges the stigma. Every voice raises awareness. Every shared story helps create a safer community.

Let's shatter the silence surrounding domestic violence. Speak up. Listen without judgment. Believe survivors. Support local programs, advocate for resources, and stand beside those on their healing journey.

Silence protects abuse. Support empowers survivors. Conversation creates change.

10/12/2026

⚠️ Strangulation is one of the strongest predictors of future homicide in domestic violence cases.

Many survivors have no visible injuries after being strangled, but the damage can be severe and life-threatening. Strangulation can cause loss of consciousness, brain injury, stroke, breathing difficulties, and even delayed death days or weeks after the assault.

Research has found that survivors who have experienced non-fatal strangulation by an intimate partner are approximately 750% more likely to be killed by that partner in the future.

This is not "just choking." It is a serious act of violence, coercive control, and a critical warning sign that the abuse may be escalating toward lethal violence.

💜 If someone has ever put their hands, forearm, or an object around your neck, blocked your breathing, or made you feel like you couldn't get air, what happened to you is serious. Strangulation is a medical emergency and should never be minimized, even when there are no visible injuries.

📞 Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center: 615-896-7377
🌐 www.dvsacenter.org

10/12/2026

Join us for Costumes for a Cause on October 22, 2026, and help make a difference for survivors of domestic violence.

While enjoying an evening of line dancing, karaoke, food, and fun, you'll also be supporting critical services that provide safety, shelter, advocacy, and hope to survivors and their families. Every dollar raised helps empower individuals to move from crisis to healing and from surviving to thriving.

Together, we can turn one night of fun into a lifetime of hope. ❤️🎃💜

Buy tickets - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/costume-for-a-cause-tickets-1997478888125?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sing like nobody's listening, dance like nobody's watching, and support survivors along the way.

10/09/2026

Coercive control isn't always physical.

Domestic violence is often thought of as physical abuse, but many survivors experience a pattern of behaviors called coercive control long before physical violence occurs.

Coercive control is a form of abuse where one partner uses manipulation, intimidation, isolation, monitoring, and control to dominate the other person's life. The goal is to take away a victim's independence, freedom, and sense of self.

🚩 What coercive control can look like:

Constantly checking your phone, messages, or location
Isolating you from friends, family, or support systems
Controlling finances or access to money
Monitoring where you go and who you talk to
Making threats to harm you, children, pets, or themselves
Dictating what you wear, eat, or how you spend your time
Gaslighting you into questioning your memory or reality
Using jealousy, guilt, or fear to maintain power

Over time, coercive control can leave survivors feeling trapped, anxious, and afraid to make decisions without their partner's approval.

💜 Domestic violence is about power and control, not just physical violence. Recognizing coercive control is an important step in supporting survivors and preventing abuse from escalating.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. You are not alone.

10/08/2026

💜 Donut Country Gives Back - October 12th & 13th 💜

Join us in loving memory of Judi and in remembrance of all victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence.

For these two days, 10% of proceeds from Donut Country will benefit local survivors of domestic violence, helping provide life-saving services and support to individuals and families in our community.

Domestic violence leaves lasting impacts, but together we can make a difference. By supporting this fundraiser, you are helping survivors find safety, healing, hope, and the resources needed to build new beginnings.

As we honor Judi's memory, let us also renew our commitment to preventing violence, supporting survivors, and remembering those whose lives were tragically taken too soon.

🍩 Every donut purchased helps support a survivor. 💜 Every donation honors a life. 🏠 Every act of support strengthens our community.