5.1.1 Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non‑discrimination on the basis of sex

State Responses to Domestic Violence

State governments partner with nonprofits to combat domestic violence in order to ensure maximum community outreach to women at-risk. While State/local governments may host conferences, pass policy, or make statements, non-profits often fill the gaps when it comes to providing 24/7 services, engaging with community members directly, and empowering survivors. Nonprofits also fill the gaps that States often do not address as it relates to culturally sensitive support for people of color, specific religious affiliations, or varying socioeconomic statuses. Nonprofits that are culturally adaptive allow victims to have support that incorporates factors such as systemic racism, generational trauma, or unique cultural experiences in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of a person’s experiences and their needs going forward. Additionally, nonprofits often need to fill the gaps in education surrounding domestic violence, particularly in raising awareness for warning signs and available resources. Despite filling these gaps, nonprofits are often plagued by lack of funding or increased competitiveness for government grants, which are often limited in number.

In DC, there are several programs in place to support survivors of domestic violence. These programs are primarily in partnership with local organizations/nonprofits or the DC legal system. Some primary programs include: House of Ruth and My Sister’s Place, which are  24-hour hotline, shelter, and counseling services for survivors of domestic violence and their children, the Crime Victim’s Compensation Program and the Crime Victim’s Assistance Partnership, which provide financial support for victims of violent crime, and the Victim Witness Program administered by the US Attorney’s Office at the Domestic Violence Intake Center. In addition, DC government partners with the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence for information, resources, and referrals for survivors of domestic violence, Break the Cycle, a nonprofit that teaches domestic violence awareness in schools, the Whitman Walker Clinic, which provides services for members of the LGBTQ+ Community, the Women’s Center, a non profit counseling and psychological service, and Second Chance Employment Services, which seeks to advance economic independence for at-risk women. A full list of nonprofit partnerships and resources can be found on the DC Metropolitan Police Department website. DC also partners with La Clinica del Pueblo and Ayuda Clinica Legal Latina to provide Spanish language legal services, counseling, and support for Latinx community members. Another primary domestic violence nonprofit, DC Safe, provides survivor support and  is the only organization in the District that provides 24/7 crisis intervention for domestic violence.  Other resources available to DC residents include legal support, homeless shelters, childcare, and contact lists for DC police, the DC Superior Court, and the Domestic Violence Intake Center. 

Maryland also partners with nonprofits to provide comprehensive resources for survivors of domestic violence through 38 programs located in 20 cities. These nonprofits include House of Ruth MD, YWCA Domestic Violence Services, TurnAround Inc, which provides counseling and support services for survivors of human trafficking and sexual and intimate partner violence, and the Family and Children’s Services of Central MD, which provides familial support for survivors of domestic violence and their children. The Maryland Department of Maternal and Child Health provides a listof additional partnership organizations, organized by county. Similar to DC, these organizations provide counseling services and support for survivors of domestic violence, as well as resources, referrals, and education campaigns, support for persons experiencing homelessness, and legal aid. Another organization, the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, facilitates connections between survivors of domestic violence, advocates, and partner services/organizations who provide additional services to domestic violence survivors. 211 Maryland provides 24/7 hotline support for persons experiencing domestic violence who require support for themselves and their families.

In Virginia, the Virginia Department of Social Services administers the Domestic Violence Prevention Program, which allocates funding to local domestic agencies, provides statistical, legal, and technical information related to domestic violence, and promotes interagency cooperation, diverse aid options, and increased public awareness for domestic violence warning signs and preventative measures. This program also provides an annual list of domestic violence shelters and partner non-profit programs by county, as well as legal resources and contact information for police departments and court services. Statewide nonprofit agencies for Virginia are the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Alliance, which provides advocacy expertise, resources for survivors, and educational resources, and the Virginia Statewide Hotline, which is a 24/7 service that offers emotional support, resources, and confidential referrals. Virginia counties may also have specific hotlines for local residents (see the Fairfax County Hotline here). Other organizations such as Women’s Law, provides comprehensive lists of courthouse locations, shelters, organizations and advocacy networks, and sheriff departments for people in need of domestic violence support.