Sheltering Animals for Abused Families (http://www.richmondspca.org/saaf)
SAAF (Sheltering Animals for Abused Families) Program is a partnership between the Richmond SPCA and the YWCA, with the purpose of providing a safe, temporary shelter to care for the pets of abused women and children.
Safe Havens Mapping Project – Virginia
The entities included in this listing either provide sheltering services for the companion animals of domestic violence victims, have a relationship with an entity that does, or provide referrals to such facilities.
https://awionline.org/safe-havens?distance[postal_code]=&distance[search_distance]=25&distance[search_units]=mile&state=Virginia
Virginia Consolidated Cruelty Statutes
https://www.animallaw.info/statute/va-cruelty-consolidated-cruelty-statutes
Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty - ASPCA Resources Including What Law Enforcement Can Do About It
https://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/report-animal-cruelty/domestic-violence-and-animal-cruelty
National Link Coalition – Working Together to Stop Violence Against People and Animals
Rich source of information and guidance.
http://nationallinkcoalition.org/
RedRover Domestic Violence Safe Escape Grants
RedRover offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets through our Safe Escape grant program. The goal of the program is to help families with pets safely escape domestic violence together. Grants may be provided for temporary boarding and veterinary care.
http://www.redrover.org/domestic-violence-safe-escape-grants
American Humane Association: Facts About Animal Abuse & Domestic Violence
http://www.americanhumane.org/interaction/support-the-bond/fact-sheets/animal-abuse-domestic-violence.html
The Power and Control Wheel is a tool that helps explain the different ways an abusive partner can use power and control to manipulate a relationship. During 2005, NCALL staff asked facilitators of older abused women’s support groups to have participants review the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project’s Power and Control Wheel. Over 50 survivors from eight states responded. NCALL created this Abuse in Later Life Wheel from their input.
In addition to the tactics on the wheel, many offenders justify or minimize the abuse and deny that they are abusive. Perpetrators of abuse in later life may make comments like “she’s just too difficult to care for” or “he abused me as a child” to blame the victim, or try to minimize the abuse by stating the victim bruises easily or injuries are the incidental result of providing care.
Power Point describing changes to Virginia's Protective Order laws from 2011-2013 (presented to the Young Lawyers Conference of the Virginia State Bar on May 8, 2013).
Protective Orders have been a lifesaving tool for survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence for many years in VA. However, a thorough understanding of whether or not a protective order is a useful tool for a particular survivor and the community structure for effective issuance and enforcement are what makes protective orders valuable tools in ensuring safety and accountability.
This 4 -part series on Protective Orders in Virginia reviewed and discussed the history of protective orders, what types are available and how survivors access them, what do advocates need to know to assist survivors in effective use of them, and finally, new firearms restrictions related to protective orders and how to build a community structure to ensure the most effective enforcement of them.
Session 1: History and Overview of Protective Orders
This webinar, facilitated by Ruth Micklem (VSDVAA) and Susheela Varky (VPLC), discusses the history of Protective Orders (PO’s) in Virginia; their purpose; and the role of advocates in PO cases.
Recording: https://youtu.be/2-l-U7AAriA
Presentation slides: http://bit.ly/POslides910
Handout 1 (History of Virginia POs): http://bit.ly/POhistory910
Handout 2 (Assessment tool): http://bit.ly/POassmt910
Session 2: Nuts and Bolts of PO’s
Caitlin Bradley (VSDVAA) covers the mechanics of PO’s - each type of PO; reviews the forms used for requesting and modifying PO’s; reviews the types of relief sought in PO’s; and discusses preparing survivors for court.
Recording: https://youtu.be/woIG4KjHmiQ
Presentation slides: https://bit.ly/POseries2slides
Session 3: Real-World Application of PO’s
Susheela Varky facilitates a panel-style discussion about the enforcement and real-world application of PO’s from the perspective of Legal Aid attorneys who are practicing on the ground. Participants were invited to submit questions beforehand and panelists shared real-world experience and perspective on PO cases, especially during COVID-19. Panelists included:
a. Sherron Ashby, Domestic Violence Attorney, Blue Ridge Legal Services (BRLS)
b. Nora Mahoney, Family Law Practice Group Chair, Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV)
c. Jamesa Parker, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEVA)
Recording: https://youtu.be/tZrogP_m_OE
Presentation slides: http://bit.ly/POseriesPPT3
Handout (VAWA Compliant Release Form): https://bit.ly/POSeriesVAWARelease
Session 4: Protective Orders and Firearms
Ruth Micklem discusses special considerations when firearms are involved. This webinar covered new legislation regarding firearms; safety considerations regarding firearms; and a discussion around community responses to firearms and PO’s.
Recording: https://youtu.be/ko8t7X1tnTQ
Presentation slides: http://bit.ly/POseriesPPT4
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance staff produced this power point presentation to train sexual and domestic violence advocates on the Virginia protective order process. This 31-slide presentation provides an overview of the different types of protective orders, describes how individuals can petition for them and how they work, and includes links to relevant VA Code sections.