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SPECIAL PROJECTS...

The NRCDV’s special projects – the Domestic Violence Awareness Project and the Runaway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit - are additional vehicles through which we support the work of individuals and communities.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Project.
The NRCDV’s Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAP) supports and promotes the national, tribal, territorial, state and local advocacy networks in their ongoing education efforts through public awareness campaigns, strategies, materials, resources, capacity-building and TA. The voices, leadership, and expertise of women who have experienced violence have informed the DVAP since its inception in 1998.

To change belief systems and practices that support violence and abuse that disproportionately affects women, and other marginalized people, the DVAP recognizes and promotes the participation of the entire community in building social intolerance towards domestic violence. In 2010, the NRCDV hosted a National Call for Unity – a 45-minute audio conference featuring remarks from Vice President Biden, the Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, a national spokesman and child survivor of domestic violence, and a spoken word artist; 338 participants joined this call.

The DVAP website, which includes a variety of materials available for free download, also features modifiable posters that local DV programs can use to advertise their awareness events, sample media talking points on topics central to DV awareness, and access to a free searchable database to connect with other events in their area.

The Runaway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit. Witnessing the ongoing abuse of a parent or experiencing child abuse, threats, or actual physical and sexual abuse are all too often the cause of youth running away or being forced from their homes. A life on the streets often exposes them to additional abuse, risks, and victimization.

Recognizing and understanding the intersection of runaway and homeless youth and intimate partner violence (including dating, domestic and sexual violence) is critical to creating meaningful services and effective intervention and prevention strategies for both homelessness and relationship abuse, and in creating partnerships between programs working with youth.

This Toolkit was developed by and for advocates, from the runaway and homeless youth and domestic violence and sexual assault fields, to help programs better address relationship violence among youth who have run away from home, are living on the streets or are homeless. Sections of the Toolkit include key terms and definitions, research and resources, a look at each field, recommendations for building partnerships and services, sample materials, and help for teens in need.

New! Meeting Survivors' Needs Study Resource Page: Substantial data collection documents how well local domestic violence programs are addressing the needs of those reaching out to them for assistance.

See the TA Question of the Month in recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, How can I talk about healthy sexuality to prevent sexual violence?