VCC Magazine Fall 2019

Bring It to The Table By The Virginia Victim Assistance Network

to the top, but remain acutely focused on our goals to continue to move the Commonwealth forward. This is not a time to rest and relish in Virginia’s regained status. While no state has ever been awarded Top State for Business by CNBC two years in a row, historic state investments like those in multimodal transportation infrastructure, higher education, the Port of Virginia, and rural broadband are positioning Virginia for healthy, statewide growth. CNBC business climate rankings demonstrate the benefits of the recommendations in Blueprint Virginia 2025. The Virginia Chamber will continue to work with the Governor’s Office, members of the General Assembly, and our economic development partners to execute the final initiatives of Blueprint Virginia. Working together, to keep Virginia as the best state for business, will create a brighter future for all Virginians. Barry Duval is President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. More and more households across the country are bringing a topic to their dinner tables that can be both confusing and uncomfortable: sexual assault. Sexual assault is a non-consensual sexual experience that is accomplished through threat, coercion, exploitation, deceit, force, physical or mental incapacitation, and/or power of authority. It includes a wide range of sexual behaviors and sexual activity such as rape, child sexual abuse, unwanted sexual contact or touching, sex trafficking, and sexual harassment. Any sexual assault, regardless of its name, can have devastating effects on victims. Long after the physical assault, the emotional and hidden trauma caused by sexual violence can linger, and at times fester, taking years to diagnose and treat. Victims sometimes experience depression, flashbacks, self-doubt, PTSD, substance abuse, or self-harm. These and many other debilitating manifestations of sexual assault can hang over survivors like a rain cloud—sometimes erupting in a sudden downpour, and sometimes falling in small, steady dribbles. Shame and embarrassment prevent many survivors from seeking help or reporting their experiences. You probably know a sexual assault survivor, regardless of whether that person has actually shared their experience with you or the criminal justice system. Nearly 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape at some point in their lives, and 1 in 67 American men have experienced rape or attempted rape. Furthermore, it is estimated that 1 in every 3 women and 1 in every 6 men experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes. 1 Surveys documenting transgender people’s experience of sexual violence are shocking as well. Research indicates that between 50 – 66% of transgender individuals could experience sexual abuse or assault at some point in their lives. 2 These staggering statistics impact all of us. They may have especially profound meaning if you are, or if you know, a survivor. While April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, these crimes need attention year-round. Ongoing recognition serves as a way for us to understand the realities and the negative effects that sexual violence can have on victims, particularly those that navigate the criminal justice system. Recounting a sexual assault, either to a victim advocate, criminal investigator, prosecutor, or a judge, can be complicated and frightening. This process should be as victim- centered as possible. Help is available. Sexual assault centers provide trauma-informed services and assistance throughout the Commonwealth. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) supports these resources with funding, training, and technical assistance. Currently, DCJS provides more than $21.5 million in grant “Amazon had it right” from page 21

The Virginia Victim Assistance Network (VVAN, also referred to as the “Network”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has assisted crime victims across the Commonwealth for over 38 years. Its mission is to be a voice for crime victims and those who serve them in Virginia by: • Diagnosing, assessing, and advocating for the needs of victims and their families; • Promoting policies and legislation to protect the rights of the victims of human tragedy; • Producing professional development and encouraging collaboration to ensure the continued growth of our members; and • Fostering accountability through the criminal justice system. 1 Smith, S. G., et al. (2017). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 state report. Contact sexual violence includes rape, being made to penetrate, sexual coercion, and/ or unwanted sexual contact. Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/NISVS- StateReportBook.pdf 2 Office of Justice Programs – Office for Victims of Crime: Responding to Transgender Victims of Sexual Assault. Footnotes for sources listed: https://www.ovc.gov/pubs/forge/sexual_numbers.html In addition, DCJS supports two statewide organizations that provide assistance and information for anyone who has experienced sexual assault: The Virginia Domestic and Sexual Violence Action Alliance (The Action Alliance) and the Virginia Victim Assistance Network (The Network). The Action Alliance is Virginia’s leading voice on sexual and intimate partner violence. Its Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Statewide Hotline can be reached anytime by calling 1-800-838-8238. Other Hotline communication options include text (804.793.9999) or chat ( www.vadata.org/chat ). The Virginia Victim Assistance Network (The Network) is a resource for all victims of all crime, including sexual assault. Its Victim Assist Helpline operates during regular business hours for any crime victim and can be reached by calling: 1-855-4-HELP- VA (1-855-443-5782). Referrals are made to assist victims with support and information as they navigate the criminal and civil justice systems. Services provided by both organizations are free, confidential, and trauma-informed, with access to language interpretation as needed. This summer, I encourage you to reach out to your loved ones and have a conversation about the harmful impacts sexual assault can have on survivors. Having the courage to discuss this topic, including sharing that resources are available for help and support, could be an important step towards preventing any further violence and helping survivors heal. funding to support services for victims at 57 sexual and domestic violence agencies throughout Virginia. DCJS also trains and supports local sexual assault response teams that are comprised of law enforcement, medical providers, prosecutors, victim/witness advocates, and sexual assault crisis center advocates. These dedicated professionals provide a comprehensive response to assist victims through forensic medical exams and help navigate their legal options.

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