Survivors of domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking experience specific forms of trauma. This means that these individuals often face immense psychological and emotional hurdles long after the abuse has ended. While traditional survivor care approaches focus on addressing the immediate needs and symptoms, trauma-informed care takes a more compassionate and holistic approach, recognizing the profound impact of abuse on survivors' lives. 

Here’s what trauma-informed care is and why it’s essential for survivors of all forms of abuse.

What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care is a framework that acknowledges the prevalence and impact of trauma — not just finite types or instances of abusive acts — and seeks to create environments and tools that promote healing and resilience. It’s not a specific set of procedures, but rather a paradigm shift in how care is provided across various settings, including health care, social services, and law enforcement. 

Because this form of care takes a detailed survivor- and patient-centered approach, it’s important that professionals who are most likely to interact with survivors complete trauma-informed care training.

The Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
The best practices around emergency housing and services for survivors of abuse include the following trauma-informed care principles:

• Safety. Ensuring the physical and emotional safety of survivors is vital for their well-being and recovery.

 

• Trustworthiness and transparency. Building and maintaining trust through transparency in actions and intentions removes unnecessary stressors for survivors whose sense of vigilance regarding self-preservation may be heightened.

 

• Peer support. Incorporating support from individuals with lived experiences of trauma fosters understanding and healing.

 

• Collaboration and mutuality. Emphasizing partnership and collaboration between providers and survivors demonstrates respect and allows for a path to recovery tailored to each individual’s needs.

 

• Empowerment, voice, and choice. Supporting survivors in regaining control and making decisions about their care is important for rebuilding a sense of stability and independence.

 

• Cultural, historical, and gender competency. Recognizing and addressing the unique experiences of trauma survivors from diverse backgrounds helps individuals feel seen, understood, and respected. This is essential for building trust for survivors from marginalized communities and for increasing the effectiveness of care.

These principles form the foundation of trauma-informed care, aiming to create an environment and policies that facilitate healing and empowerment.

Trauma-Informed Care Language
One aspect of effective trauma-informed care includes how service providers frame their communications with survivors, namely, the use of appropriate trauma-informed language. This is crucial in creating a supportive path to safety and recovery and regaining stability for abuse survivors. Anyone, including friends and family members who aren’t trained in comprehensive survivor support, can use language that shows empathy and respect:

• Using non-judgmental language. Avoiding words that may imply blame or judgment helps prevent retraumatizing survivors, especially as abusers often gaslight their partners into blaming themselves for how they are being treated. Using non-judgmental language and teaching others about it also helps dispel the common myth about abuse that survivors somehow “brought it on themselves” or “had it coming.”

 

• Validating experiences and providing reassurance. Acknowledging and validating survivors’ perceptions of their experiences helps them avoid the pitfalls of self-blame and isolation and feel more connected to others on a basic human level.

 

• Making empowering statements. Using language that empowers survivors and emphasizes their strengths and resilience can help them avoid identifying as victims and focus on recovery. 

Why Trauma-Informed Care Is Essential for Abuse Survivors
Trauma-informed care is essential for survivors of domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking for several reasons:

• Acknowledging and addressing the full impact of abuse. Trauma-informed care recognizes that the psychological effects of abuse can affect all aspects of an individual's life, including their physical health, mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. This understanding is crucial for providing effective support.

 

• Creating safe spaces. Survivors often have heightened sensitivity to potential threats due to their past experiences or even fully-fledged post-traumatic stress disorder. Trauma-informed care prioritizes creating safe and supportive environments, which are vital for their sense of security and trust.

 

• Encouraging trust. Survivors often have a severely damaged sense of trust because of their experiences with abuse and exploitation. Trauma-informed care works to rebuild trust through consistency, transparency, and respect, which are essential for effective therapeutic relationships. Simply put, survivors can’t recover if they don’t feel that support staff have their best interests in mind.

 

• Building resilience. By returning a sense of control and empowerment to survivors, trauma-informed care helps them recover, build resilience, and develop coping strategies to manage their trauma's long-term effects. This not only helps them to become more stable and independent as individuals but provides a better quality of life — and of human development — for survivors’ children as well.

 

• Promoting healing. Traditional care methods might be inadvertently callous to survivors’ needs by not taking their altered psychological states and perspectives into consideration. This can seriously complicate recovery and worsen care outcomes. Trauma-informed care avoids this by recognizing triggers and adapting interventions accordingly, promoting genuine healing.

Trauma-informed care is a vital approach to supporting survivors of domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking. By prioritizing safety, trust, empowerment, and understanding, this approach provides a compassionate and effective pathway to healing and resilience. As we continue to understand and address the profound impacts of trauma, integrating trauma-informed care across all levels of service delivery is crucial in fostering recovery and long-term well-being for survivors.

Support Trauma-Informed Care With Project Woman
Project Woman is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by providing resources to protect, educate, and empower. We offer a wide range of programs and services to support those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and/or stalking. Our first line of defense for survivors experiencing emergencies is our crisis center. This center provides a safe home for those fleeing domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual assault, rape, or human trafficking. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, don’t wait. Call our 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-800-634-9893.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the programs and services available, please contact us.

Project Woman offers many ways to help survivors. Financial contributions help provide safety, shelter, and trauma-informed services. Donations of items on our wish list or posted on our Facebook page provide survivors with necessities and comfort. We also regularly post volunteer opportunities on our site. All gifts of money, items, and time — no matter how large or small — make a profound difference in people’s lives! Thank you for caring.

Domestic abuse and violence are pervasive issues affecting millions of individuals globally. As if this weren’t deeply troubling on its own, common myths about abuse can hinder efforts to prevent and address it effectively.

Misconceptions around domestic abuse and violence are so prevalent that they have become a matter of cultural subtext. Many people not only subscribe to these false beliefs but also may not even be aware of how they came to believe them. Here are some myths and facts about domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner abuse.

Myths About What Domestic Abuse Is and Who It Impacts
Some of the greatest myths about domestic violence and abuse have to do with what defines abuse and who can be impacted by it.

Myth: Domestic Abuse Only Involves Physical Violence
Fact: Domestic abuse encompasses a wide range of behaviors beyond physical violence. It can include emotional, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse. Abusers may use intimidation, threats, isolation, and manipulation to control their victims. That’s because domestic abuse is ultimately about unhealthy levels of power and control, and it can manifest in various non-physical forms.

Myth: Domestic Abuse Only Happens in Poor, Uneducated, or Minority Communities
Fact: Domestic abuse affects individuals regardless of socioeconomic status, education level, race, or ethnicity. It occurs in all communities and across all demographics. The belief that it only happens in certain groups is a stereotype that can prevent survivors from being recognized as such or seeking help.

Myth: Men Are Not Victims of Domestic Abuse
Fact: Domestic abuse is not gender-specific and can affect anyone. People in LGBTQ+ communities disproportionately experience intimate partner violence and abuse. And while cisgender women are statistically the most frequent targets, cisgender men can also be victims. Men may face additional stigma and be reluctant to report abuse due to societal expectations and stereotypes about masculinity.

Myth: Domestic Violence Only Happens to Adults
Fact: One of the biggest myths about child abuse in a domestic setting is that it is strictly a parent-to-child behavior. In fact, youth can experience domestic abuse alongside a parent. Teens can also suffer from stalking or intimate partner violence at the hands of predators or dating partners.

Even those whose exposure is limited to witnessing abuse experience profound negative impacts, from the stress of financial and home life instability to serious mental health disorders. For these kids and teens, removal from these relationships, as well as appropriate forms of therapy, are critical for healing and recovery.
Myths About the Causes of Domestic AbuseMany misperceptions about the underlying drivers of abusive behavior serve only to defend it, excuse it, normalize it, or mischaracterize it as situational.

Myth: Victims Provoke Their Abusers
Fact: No one deserves to be abused, and survivors are not responsible for the abuser’s actions. Abuse is a choice made by the abuser, not a reaction to their partner’s behavior. This myth perpetuates victim-blaming and discourages victims from seeking help.

Myth: Alcohol and Drugs Cause Domestic Violence
Fact: While substance abuse can exacerbate violent behavior, it is not the root cause of it. Domestic violence is primarily about power and control. Blaming alcohol or drugs shifts responsibility away from the abuser and overlooks underlying patterns of control and dominance.

Myths About How to Stop Domestic Abuse
Some of the most harmful misconceptions about abusive behavior are those around taking action to stop it. They fail to accept that abuse is a chronic and cyclical problem, and they can also place blame on survivors in ways that perpetuate other forms of misogyny.

Myth: If the Abuse Was That Bad, Survivors Would Just Leave
Fact: Leaving an abusive relationship is extremely complex. Survivors may face numerous barriers, such as fear of further violence, financial dependence, lack of support, emotional attachment to the abuser, and custody or other legal complications. Further, the period after leaving an abuser is often the most dangerous time for survivors, and many are murdered during this time.

If you know someone who is experiencing domestic abuse, you can help them by doing things like listening without judgment, offering support, and providing practical assistance if they decide to leave the relationship.

Myth: Domestic Abuse Is a Couple’s Business and Should Be Dealt With Privately
Fact: Domestic violence is a major public health issue that requires community intervention and support. Treating it as a private matter fails to recognize the problem as a pervasive issue, isolates victims, and allows abuse to continue unchecked. Public awareness, legal intervention, and community support are crucial in addressing and preventing domestic violence.

Myth: If the Abuser Is Sorry and Apologizes, the Abuse Will Stop
Fact: Apologies and promises to change are common tactics used by abusers to manipulate their victims. Without genuine commitment to change — and often, professional intervention — the cycle of abuse is likely to continue. Temporary remorse does not equate to long-term change.

Myth: Counseling Will Stop the Abuser’s Behavior
Fact: While partner or marriage counseling can be beneficial, it is not a guaranteed solution to stop an abuser’s behavior. Many abusers do not change, even with therapy. The focus should be on ensuring the victim’s safety and holding the abuser accountable for their actions.

Understanding the myths and facts about domestic abuse and violence is crucial for providing appropriate support and intervention. By dispelling these misconceptions, we can create a more informed and compassionate society that supports victims and holds abusers accountable. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, seek help from local resources or national hotlines. Awareness and education are key steps in combating domestic violence.

Fight Myths About Domestic Abuse With Project Woman
Project Woman is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by providing resources to protect, educate, and empower. We offer a wide range of programs and services to support those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and/or stalking. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the programs and services available, please contact us.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, do not wait. Call our 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-800-634-9893.

Project Woman offers many ways to help survivors. Financial contributions help provide safety, shelter, and trauma-informed services. Donations of items on our wish list or posted on our Facebook page provide survivors with necessities and comfort. We also regularly post volunteer opportunities on our site. All gifts of money, items, and time — no matter how large or small — make a profound difference in people’s lives! Thank you for caring.

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Leaving an abusive relationship of any kind is one of the bravest steps someone can take toward reclaiming their peace and safety. If you find yourself in such a situation, know that you're not alone and that there are clear, practical steps to follow. This guide is designed to help women, including those with children, plan their exit and navigate the process of leaving an unsafe environment. Here’s how you can start this pivotal journey toward a safer life.

How Do You Leave an Abusive Relationship? 
Here are some key guidelines for leaving an abusive husband or partner.

Recognize the Signs of Abuse
Abuse can manifest in many forms: physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial, or psychological. Emotional abuse, which includes behaviors like name-calling, constant criticism, and isolation from friends and family, can be particularly insidious because it chips away at one's self-esteem and sense of reality. For this reason and many others, leaving an emotionally abusive relationship is just as essential as escaping any other type of abuse.

Recognizing the signs of abuse is a crucial first step. An abusive relationship often involves patterns of power and control where one partner feels dominated or frightened by the other. If you are experiencing this in any form, don’t second-guess yourself: make a plan for exiting the relationship safely. 

Safety Planning: Your Blueprint for Leaving
In the context of an abusive relationship, safety planning is key. If at all possible, create a personalized and practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while you are in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave.

Key Elements of a Safety Plan
Here are some things to consider and prepare:

• Secure communications. Use a safe phone or computer (that your abuser can’t monitor) as you research your escape plan or seek help.

 

• Notify your support network. Having a support system can provide emotional and sometimes immediate physical safety. Inform trusted friends, family members, and your employer of your situation and plan. If you’ll be escaping to a domestic violence shelter, notify staff there as well. 

 

• Decide where you’ll go. Choose a safe location for you (and your children, if applicable) to escape to. If you can’t stay with a trusted friend or family member, get in touch with a local domestic violence shelter. Although many shelters offer housing on a short-term basis, long-term housing options may also be available, along with assistance programs to help survivors start anew. Most shelters can help connect you with long-term housing resources.

 

• Pack an emergency bag.  Include essentials such as clothes, medications, important documents (such as your driver’s license and social security card, birth certificates, and bank documents), cash, and/or bank cards as well as special items for children (such as their favorite toys or books).

 

• Secure your accounts. When you can do so before leaving without causing suspicion, change the passwords to your email, social media, and financial accounts.
  

Legal Considerations and Protections
Understanding your legal rights is essential. This might involve filing for a restraining order or learning about custody laws if children are involved. Many online resources offer specific advice on legal protections available to women leaving abusive situations, as do many domestic violence shelters.

Financial Independence
Importantly, statistics on leaving an abusive relationship indicate that financial abuse occurs in 98% of all reported cases of domestic abuse. Establishing financial independence can be a significant step toward freedom. This might include opening a separate bank account, building a small stash of emergency funds, or securing employment.

Mental Health and Emotional Support
Leaving an abusive relationship can be traumatic, and mental health support is critical. Seek counseling or join support groups where you can discuss your experiences and feelings in a safe environment. 
How to Leave an Abusive Relationship With a ChildLeaving an abusive partner when children are involved requires additional planning and consideration for their safety and emotional well-being.

Planning for Children
If possible, take the following steps if you plan to exit the abusive relationship with one or more children:

• Discuss the plan. Depending on their age (and ability to keep the information from your partner), explain the situation to them in understandable terms without overwhelming them.

 

• Notify schools and childcare providers. Tell your children’s schools and childcare providers about your situation and plans so you can manage who has permission to pick up the children.

 

• Get help with legal custody. Consult a lawyer to discuss custody matters so you can ensure that the children’s living arrangements are legally settled.

Seek Continued Support After Leaving
Whether you’re escaping on your own or with children, leaving an abusive relationship is not the end of the journey. Continued support is necessary to heal and rebuild life after abuse. Seek out ongoing services for you and your children, such as:

• Trauma counseling and family therapy 

 

• Support groups

 

• Educational programs

 

• Legal assistance

 

• Job training and placement programs

Leaving an abusive relationship is a complex and challenging journey, but it’s also an incredibly courageous step toward reclaiming freedom and safety. Utilize every resource available, from local organizations to national hotlines, and remember that you are not alone in this fight. Each step taken is a move toward a safer, healthier future for you and your children.

Find Freedom From Domestic Violence With Project Woman
Project Woman is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by providing resources to protect, educate, and empower. We offer a wide range of programs and services to support those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and/or stalking.  If you have any questions or would like to know more about the programs and services available, please contact us.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, do not wait. Call our 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-800-634-9893.

Project Woman offers many ways to help survivors. Financial contributions help provide safety, shelter, and trauma-informed services. Donations of items on our wish list or posted on our Facebook page provide survivors with necessities and comfort. We also regularly post volunteer opportunities on our site. All gifts of money, items, and time — no matter how large or small — make a profound difference in people’s lives! Thank you for caring.

Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence, or IPV) is a pervasive human rights violation affecting millions of people globally; it is not limited to any age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. It encompasses not only physical violence, but emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse.
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Offering your help for victims of domestic violence can be a crucial step in their healing and empowerment. Whether you know someone who is experiencing abuse or want to help survivors in general, this is your guide to offering effective assistance in their journey toward safety and recovery.

How to Help a Survivor You Know
Here are some strategies you can use to help individual survivors you know or come into contact with.

Understanding the Signs
Recognizing the signs of domestic violence is the first step in providing assistance. Symptoms may include:

• Physical injuries

 

• Changes in behavior or personality

 

• Isolation from friends and family

 

• Demonstrated stress or anxiety

Awareness of these signs enables you to approach the situation with sensitivity and care.

Offering Support
You can offer empathy, resources, and encouragement by doing the following:

• Listening without judgment. Offer a safe and confidential space for domestic violence survivor stories. Listen actively and without judgment, affirming their feelings and experiences. Acknowledge their strength in sharing their story and reassure them that the abuse is not their fault.

 

• Validating their feelings. Validation is powerful. Let survivors know that their feelings are reasonable and that it’s okay to feel scared, confused, or angry. Encouraging words and a supportive presence can be incredibly affirming.

 

• Providing information. Equip the person with resources for survivors of domestic violence, including information about what constitutes abuse and the cyclical nature of abuse. Understanding the dynamics of their situation can be empowering and can help them make informed decisions about their next steps.
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Providing Practical Assistance
If it’s appropriate and feasible for you to engage in domestic violence survivor intervention, you can do the following:

• Safety planning. Assist in developing a safety plan for the survivor. This is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after leaving. Safety planning might involve setting aside funds, securing important documents, or identifying a safe place to stay.

 

• Legal and medical help. Guide survivors to legal and medical resources tailored for abuse survivors. Offer to accompany them to court appearances or medical appointments if they are comfortable with it. Understanding their rights and available legal protections, like restraining orders, can be crucial.

 

• Financial support. Help survivors understand their financial situation and explore options for financial independence. This may involve creating a budget, opening a bank account, or finding employment.

Connecting to ResourcesYou should also help the survivor to identify and collect a list of organizations and programs that can help them stay safe and regain control over their lives, such as:

• Domestic violence hotlines and shelters. Provide information on local domestic violence hotlines, shelters, and other resources. These organizations offer confidential support, shelter, legal advocacy, and other services to help survivors escape abuse and begin rebuilding their lives.

 

• Counseling and support groups. Encourage seeking out professional counseling or support groups. These resources can offer a safe space for survivors to process their experiences and begin healing alongside others who have faced similar situations.

How to Help Survivors in Your Community and Beyond
You can support the cause of mitigating and reducing domestic violence and empowering survivors in a variety of ways.

Educate Yourself and Others
Increase your understanding of domestic violence and the challenges survivors of domestic violence face, then share this knowledge with others in your sphere of influence. Teach young people about healthy, respectful relationships and potential red flags to look out for. Make people aware that some demographics are more severely impacted by abuse than others (such as women of color, women with disabilities, and undocumented women) and may face greater barriers to getting the help they need.

Take Legislative Action
Vote for leaders, laws, programs, and funding that work to end domestic violence and provide more resources for survivors in more demographics.

Support Domestic Violence Organizations
Support organizations that work to prevent domestic violence and offer key services to survivors. You can do this in any of the following ways: 

• Following these organizations on social media and sharing their mission and calls to action with others

 

• Participating in events and fundraisers

 

• Volunteering your time

 

• Donating “wish list” and “special request” items posted on the organization’s website

 

• Making a financial donation

Supporting survivors of domestic violence is about empowering them to make their own decisions and supporting them through their journey, regardless of the choices they make. Your role is not to rescue or save them, but to be a consistent, supportive presence in their life. Remember, healing is a process, and your unwavering support can be a powerful source of strength for those navigating the aftermath of domestic violence.

Support Domestic Violence Survivors With Project Woman
Project Woman is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by providing resources to protect, educate, and empower. We offer a wide range of programs and services to support those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and/or stalking. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, do not wait. Call our 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-800-634-9893.

Project Woman offers many ways to help survivors. Financial contributions help provide safety, shelter, and trauma-informed services. Donations of items on our wish list or posted on our Facebook page provide survivors with necessities and comfort. We also regularly post volunteer opportunities on our site. All gifts of money, items, and time — no matter how large or small — make a profound difference in people’s lives! Thank you for caring.

Domestic violence shelters play an indispensable role in safeguarding survivors and fostering healthier communities. These facilities offer more than just a temporary safe space for abuse survivors and their children; they provide a foundation for rebuilding lives affected by violence — and for building healthier communities. Here’s why having a local domestic violence shelter benefits not just survivors but everyone in your community.

Immediate Safety and Support
As a first line of defense and protection, emergency shelter services offer women immediate assistance and safety:

• Crisis hotlines. Many shelters offer 24-hour crisis phone lines to help women who are actively experiencing violence. Hotline crisis counselors guide survivors through the process of escaping their abusers and getting help quickly.

 

• A safe haven. Shelters are crucial for providing immediate safety and housing for domestic violence survivors escaping abusive situations. They offer a confidential location where survivors can find physical safety, emotional support, and a moment of peace away from the threat of violence. 
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Holistic Support Services
Beyond immediate safety, shelters offer holistic health services for survivors aimed at recovery, autonomy, protection, self-sufficiency, and wellness. These support services are critical for the well-being and empowerment of survivors, aiding them in navigating the complex aftermath of abuse​​.

Mental Health Services
Survivors of domestic violence (sometimes also called intimate partner violence) often experience profound mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Shelters provide access to mental health services, including individual and group counseling. These are vital not only for healing, but also for preventing women from becoming vulnerable to violence in the future, either from the same abuser or a new one. 

Physical Health Services 
Many shelters also provide access to medical care or referrals to health care services, addressing both the short- and long-term physical health needs of survivors. This holistic approach to health care is essential for survivors who may have neglected their health while in abusive situations. In addition to addressing immediate medical concerns, shelters often provide counseling that works to reduce the physical self-harm (such as substance abuse) that stems from the trauma and mental health disorders associated with abuse and violence.

Economic Empowerment and Stability
Economic independence is crucial for survivors who want to permanently break free from abusive relationships, as many are financially dependent on their abusers. In fact, financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases. Many shelters offer assistance with employment, financial planning, and securing affordable housing. All of these are vital for helping women to establish stable, self-sufficient lives and long-term independence. 

Strengthening Communities and Preventing Further Violence
Preventing domestic violence and its costs to society begins with offering key resources for assisting women who are experiencing it and educating the public about healthy relationships.

Awareness and Prevention
Domestic violence shelters play a pivotal role in raising awareness about domestic violence and its impact on individuals and communities. Educational programs and outreach efforts foster a culture of nonviolence, promoting healthy relationships and respect. Shelters can be instrumental in changing societal norms and preventing violence through education and advocacy​​.

Reducing the Costs to Society
Intimate partner violence costs the US over $8.3 billion every year. This is due to a variety of factors that don’t just harm women but also diminish their productivity in the workforce and economy:

• Collectively, survivors lose about 8 million days of work per year.
• Up to half of employed survivors experience abuser harassment at work.
• A large percentage of survivors lose their jobs for reasons that result from abuse.
• Domestic violence results in service costs to health care, law enforcement, and legal and social service systems.

By supporting survivors in achieving independence, shelters not only transform lives but also reduce the economic burden of intimate partner violence on public resources. Effective shelter programs mitigate these costs by preventing further violence and reducing the need for emergency services.

Providing Valuable Training and Resources
Shelters often also provide education, training, and resources for other parties who may interact with survivors. These may include people such as:

• Law enforcement officers
• Justice system professionals
• Social and human services providers
• Healthcare and wellness providers
• Concerned citizens

Training these people enables them to provide more useful, contextually informed services to women impacted by domestic violence and to better advocate for their rights and wellness.
Encouraging Community Support and VolunteerismShelters encourage community involvement through volunteer programs and support networks, strengthening the local social fabric. This involvement not only aids the shelters’ operations but also builds a sense of collective responsibility about addressing and preventing domestic violence.

The presence of a domestic violence shelter in a community has immense value. By understanding and investing in domestic violence shelter services and education programs, communities can foster safer, healthier, and more resilient environments for all their members. When you support these vital institutions, you help to eradicate domestic violence and build a foundation for lasting community wellness.
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Protect Yourself and Others From Domestic Violence With Project WomanProject Woman is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by providing resources to protect, educate, and empower. We offer a wide range of programs and services to support those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and/or stalking. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the programs and services available, please contact us.

Project Woman offers many ways to help survivors. Financial contributions help provide safety, shelter, and trauma-informed services. Donations of items on our wish list or posted on our Facebook page provide survivors with necessities and comfort. We also regularly post volunteer opportunities on our site. All gifts of money, items, and time — no matter how large or small — make a profound difference in people’s lives! Thank you for caring.

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Project Woman is grateful that the House of Representatives passed H.R.2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVSPA) of 2021. This bipartisan, bicameral bill reauthorizes FVPSA, which has been unauthorized since 2015. H.R.2119 also increases the funding authorization to ensure more programs can receive FVPSA funds and access to technical assistance, centers the needs of Communities of Color, Tribes, and LGBTQ+ survivors, and expands investment in prevention.

FVPSA, one of three critical pillars of the federal government’s response to domestic violence, addresses domestic violence from a public health approach while providing core funding and support for domestic violence shelters. Reauthorization of this program with its enhancements will ensure survivors at Project Woman and in all communities can access to life-saving services.
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Next, the Senate will take up its companion bill, S.1275, which passed out of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on a voice vote. Contact your senators and ask them to VOTE FOR S.1275: https://www.senate.gov/senators/.