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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Acts of sexual violence are those of a sexual nature that are non-consensual and accomplished through threat, coercion, exploitation, deceit, force, physical or mental incapacitation, and/or power of authority. Anyone can experience SV, but most victims are women. The perpetrators of this violence are typically men and usually someone known to the victim. However, individuals in same sex relationships can be victims and perpetrators of sexual violence.
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The theme for this month's SAAM is building safe spaces online. Sexual violence can happen anywhere, including in online spaces. The internet has become the new space where we connect with romantic partners, friends and family, co-workers, and strangers alike. From dating apps, virtual meetings, chats, video calls, and interactions on social media, most communication now takes place online.
It is important to practice digital consent, intervene when we see harmful content or behaviors, and ensure that online spaces are safe too. As technology has evolved, our awareness of ways it can be used have grown.
Just over the past few decades, terms such as “sextortion,” “revenge porn,” and “doxxing” have been added to the public lexicon. Other examples of common abusive behaviors online include child pornography, online harassment, or posting unsolicited explicit images. Even though the abuse occurs behind a screen, the impact on the victim, their loved ones, and the community can be just as harmful as sexual violence committed in person.
Help bring awareness to this kind of sexual violence. To learn more about online sexual violence and how you can support survivors, please click here.
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April is Volunteer Appreciation Month! Although 2020 was a tumultuous year, volunteers provided 800+ hours of their time and $1000+ worth of much-needed items. Without those hours and donations, we would not have been able to offer support to individuals and families impacted by intimate partner and sexual violence.
Please check out our Facebook and our Instagram accounts throughout the month of April as we highlight volunteers and their impact on our agency.
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Students from Colonial Beach High School and Essex County High School got busy during the month of February and collected much-needed items for The Haven. Thank you to Colonial Beach High School Students and Essex High School National Honor Society member Maddie Carson for all of your hard work.
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Virtual Bingo is back! The Haven is hosting another virtual Bingo Night on April 9th from 7pm-9pm. The event will be broadcasted via Zoom. Gather your friends and family to join in on the fun for only $10 per ticket! There will be prizes for each game.
The cost of this event is $10 which includes 1 virtual and 2 printed bingo cards. Each additional bingo card is $2 each or 2 for $3. 6 Bingo cards per ticket is recommended. You can purchase as many bingo cards as you wish in one transaction. We will be playing a total of 15 games.
Register by April 5th by clicking here. You will donate the initial admission fee ($10) along with any additional cards and provide us with your email. A Zoom link and your bingo cards will be emailed to you. We recommend that you print out your bingo cards. Please do not use a bingo dauber when marking your cards as you will use the same cards for all 15 games.
If you have any questions, please contact Cupper Dickinson at (804)333-1099 or at cupper.dickinson@havenshelter.org
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Urge your Senators to act now to support the VOCA Fix, which will restore victim services funding and ensure survivors in crisis have the help they need!
Survivors are navigating the pandemic, economic hardship, and domestic violence simultaneously. Local victim services agencies are there to help – but they too are facing the consequences of the economic downturn. The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the largest source of federal funding for domestic and sexual violence services in the country, has faced dangerous cuts over the last few years and is facing even more catastrophic cuts now. The VOCA Fix bill – H.R. 1652 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 17, 2021.
Please tell your Senators to support the VOCA Fix bill by clicking here.
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Top Items Needed at The Haven Shelter
1. AA Batteries
2. AAA Batteries
3. C Batteries
4. 20x20x1 Air Filters
5. Food Lion Gift Cards
6. Visa Gift Cards (for gas)
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