Sexual and Domestic Violence Services at the Center works to educate the community about intimate violence, to support survivors, and to empower everyone to resist abuse.

Let Every Woman Be Safe

Sexual and Domestic Violence Services

Programs & Services

 

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The SDVS Mission

Sexual and Domestic Violence Services (SDVS) educates students, staff, and faculty at the University of Virginia about intimate violence and its impact on our community. We provide support to survivors of these crimes, work to strengthen the University’s responses and policies so that all victims are treated fairly and appropriately, empower women to resist abuse, and empower men to embrace their role as allies in this work, so that the violence comes to an end.

*For extensive information about the many forms of sexual misconduct (including rape, sexual assault, domestic and intimate partner violence, and stalking) as well as the numerous resources available at the University and in the local community, please consult the University's new Sexual Violence Education and Resources website.

Advocacy, Support, Guidance and Activism:

Sexual and Domestic Violence Services offers resources to help those in need and to support those who want to get involved.  These include:

    Advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and adults abused as children, their friends and their families: guidance, support, advocacy with law enforcement and other representatives of the criminal justice system, referrals to counselors with expertise in this area, attorneys and victim-witness programs.

  • Survivor Emergency Fund: A fund, raised by U.Va. students for U.Va. students, to fill gaps when the need arises.  May be used to pay for medical bills, travel and hotel (so parents may to come to Charlottesville during a SMB trial, for example), or any other financial crises that may arise as a result of a sexual assault or domestic violence situation.

  • Resource library of books and videos.

  • Survivor Support Network: a "web" of trained faculty, staff, administrators, graduate assistants and undergraduate student leaders grounds-wide who have been trained in basic understanding of these issues as well as appropriate sources of help both on and off-grounds.  Training workshops are offered year-round, including Personal Development workshops through Human Resources.

  • Educational programs for student organizations, classes, and employee groups on the dynamics of sexual and intimate partner violence:

    • how to support friends, co-workers, and family members who are facing these issues;
    • how to be a smart consumer of media's images of gender violence; and
    • how to reduce the frequency of gender violence by learning how to be an active bystander using effective and safe intervention strategies.

  • Public events, including nationally-known speakers, arts events, panel discussions and more, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (April), as well as other high-profile events during the year.

  • Internship opportunities for undergraduates who are interested in this issue (see the WC Intern page for details)

  • Gender Violence (EDLF 5500-019) a 3-credit course offered each Spring semester.

Where is the SDVS Office?

Women's Center Building We are located in the U.Va. Women's Center in The Corner Building at 14th Street and University Avenue.

Phone: 434-982-2774
Fax: 434-982-2901
P.O. Box 800588
University of Virginia
Charlottesville VA 22908-0588

Red Flag Campaign

Contact Information:

Director of SDVS: Claire Kaplan ckaplan@virginia.edu, 434-982-2774

Wealth of Resources:

Sexual and Domestic Violence Services has a wealth of resources to help those in need and to support those who want to get involved.

 

Supportive Services

Medical If you were raped, sexually assaulted, are being abused in a relationship or stalked, click here.


Click here for our story on the White Ribbon Campaign at U.Va.

Morgan Harrington

We wish to express how moved we are by the courage of Ms. Harrington’s family, and we recommit ourselves to working toward a world free of violence and oppression. >> Read our full comment.