About WomenSV

WomenSV works with survivors to help them deal with domestic abuse more safely and effectively and supports them to go on to build healthier lives for themselves and their children. To ensure WomenSV is trained in the delicate and nuanced work of helping survivors, all staff and volunteers who work with clients must first complete an accredited 40-hour Domestic Violence Counselor Certification, which is standard practice at most domestic violence agencies.

WomenSV’s main priority is keeping survivors safe. Survivors are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement (NDA) for the safety and protection of not only themselves, but also their fellow group members who share personal and confidential information that could impact their safety.

WomenSV does not provide legal services or referrals to lawyers. WomenSV grieves with survivors who experience disappointing and even tragic outcomes in court, but the organization is powerless over influencing those outcomes. The organization never refers, pressures, or recommends that a survivor retain a specific attorney. Moreover, it is not an advocate’s role to ever “advise”, “refer”, or in any way tell survivors what to do. For many survivors, part of reclaiming their power is learning to trust their ability to make informed decisions for themselves. While we never recommend lawyers, we do remind survivors that it’s ok to move on from any provider who fails to meet their expectations.

Cybersecurity support has been an option for survivors who were at risk of their technology being monitored by an abusive partner. Unfortunately, technology has created new ways for abusers to attack, stalk, and abuse their partners, especially when victims of this type of crime attempt to leave the relationship. Prior to the pandemic, representatives from cybersecurity organizations visited WomenSV periodically to offer survivors free education on protecting their electronics and technology. Some survivors chose to work with these organizations based on their specific circumstances, independently of WomenSV.

All funding granted to WomenSV is used to provide educational support, resources and advocacy for survivors of domestic abuse. Individual survivor services also include threat assessment, risk management, safety planning, as well as education around financial, emotional, legal, and technological abuse, and other forms of coercive control. WomenSV was falsely accused of spending only $5,000 on “client support,” when in fact this number represents the amount that was used for client supplies and equipment for survivors whose technology had been severely compromised by their abuser. WomenSV funds go towards program services focused on educating the community on coercive control and supporting survivors in their efforts to escape abuse and rebuild their lives. Since the organization never charges survivors for the services or equipment provided, it uses fundraising to cover the costs of its programs, as well as salaries, office space, insurance, equipment and office supplies.

WomenSV strives to provide the best possible support to members. For over 13 years, WomenSV has offered weekly support groups to help women understand, address, or overcome coercive control. Each support group session begins with a 30-60 minute lecture followed by group discussion and then individual sharing where survivors and advocates work collaboratively to discuss education, support, and resources. WomenSV has also developed an additional program called the Executive Summary Workshop to help survivors tell their story in a concise narrative form and adapt it for each survivor’s individual goals and intended audience. Survivors are never barred or uninvited from WomenSV for providing feedback on the various services offered. WomenSV accepts, acknowledges, and appreciates any comments or feedback. Members are asked to leave WomenSV in the rare event that they pose a threat or risk to other survivors or to WomenSV. 

WomenSV is a leading educator around the danger and signs of covert abuse. As a former teacher, Ruth believes that when it comes to domestic abuse, education is the best form of prevention and intervention. For that reason, WomenSV invites attorneys, detectives, law enforcement officers, cybersecurity experts, financial analysts, therapists, and retired judges as guest speakers to educate, protect, and empower survivors.

WomenSV is a nationally recognized organization that has trained a variety of Fortune 500 companies in identifying and preventing covert and coercive control and abuse.