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LGBTQ+ Resources

Advocacy

Advocating at Legislative Hall & Capitol Hill

DCADV’s policy staff work alongside community partners and volunteers to inform policy and practices within the state and nation. We identify areas where changes are needed so that those impacted by domestic violence are better served. We work with legislators and community partners to develop and pass critical legislation.

Every person’s voice is important, so we work to keep volunteers informed about important issues. We do this through DCADV’s Legislative Advocacy Project (LEAP). LEAP engages volunteers who support the mission to end domestic violence, and empowers them to call or send emails to our elected officials. DCADV staff organize trainings and advocacy events so that volunteers can strengthen and feel confident with their advocacy skills.

DCADV is also a member of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. NNEDV is a national leader for domestic violence victims and their advocates. Working with NNEDV and coalitions across the nation and territories, we help educate policy makers at the national level.

Our Commitment to Change

While we know that domestic violence can happen in any kind of intimate relationship, we understand that there are societal and community-level factors that allow domestic violence to continue.  Because domestic violence can have long lasting harmful effects, DCADV believes that prevention is key to a healthier Delaware.  Working with community partners and state and local governments, DCADV regularly advocates for policies and programs to prevent domestic violence.

Resources and Information on Bills during the 151st General Assembly Session

Build Your Advocacy Skills

On January 26, 2022, DCADV hosted a virtual event on "Building Effective Advocacy."  This event provided advocates, community members, and changemakers to learn more about how to effectively advocate on a variety of social justice issues.

Get Involved

If you’d like to help DCADV advocate for change, sign up to become a LEAP volunteer today. Periodically you will receive email alerts with information about the important issue and guidance on how to quickly spread our message.

Other ways to get involved include becoming a DCADV Member or making a donation. You can also stay up-to-date with our advocacy efforts on Twitter.

Enter your email address to join the LEAP mailing list.

Our Member Organizations

  • Alert! Computer use can be monitored.

    Computer Safety

    WARNING!

    If you are being stalked or abused, take steps to keep your abuser from knowing you are looking for help. Please use a safer computer, or call 911, one of Delaware's local hotlines at 302-762-6110 for New Castle County or 302-422-8058 for Kent & Sussex Counties , or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.

    EMERGENCY "QUICK ESCAPE" BUTTON

    There is a red Quick Escape button in the lower right-hand corner of every page on this website.
    Click this button if your abuser enters the room while you are viewing this website. It will close this website and redirect your browser to a neutral page.

    Clean up Your Online Path

    Internet Safety

    Everything you do online is recorded. It is IMPOSSIBLE to clear your tracks completely. Your computer stores hundreds of bits of information about everything you do with your computer, including information about which websites you've visited, your passwords, and what your emails say. An abuser can easily track the websites you visit or read your email messages.

    If you suspect your activities are being monitored, they probably are. Abusers are often controlling and want to know your every move. You don’t need to be a computer programmer or have special skills to monitor someone’s computer activities – anyone can do it and there are many ways to monitor your activities - even without having direct access to your computer. Using a separate computer is best, but you can protect yourself at home by familiarizing yourself with processes like private browsing, deleting your browser history, clearing your cache and deleting cookies.

    You can be tracked

    Your abuser can track your online actions – there is nothing you can do to remove your tracks completely. If you try to erase your tracks, your abuser might become suspicious.
    If you think you might be in danger, use a computer at a public library, internet cafe or a trusted friend’s house. If your abuser sends you email, do not open it on those computers.

    If you need help now, call 911 or the
    New Castle County Domestic Violence Hotline: 302-762-6110
    Kent & Sussex County Domestic Violence Hotline: 302-422-8058
    Kent & Sussex County Bi-lingual Domestic Violence Hotline: 302-745-9874
    US National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
    US National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
    US National Teen Dating Violence Helpline 1-866-331-9474

    Email Safety

    Email is not a safe or confidential way to communicate.

    Sending email is like sending a postcard through the mail. Anyone along the path can read what it says. If you need to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life, if possible, please call a hotline instead.

    If you must use email to discuss your situation we suggest you use an account that your abuser doesn't know about. Set up a new account with a free email service like hotmail, yahoo, or gmail.

    Password Safety

    Be smart about passwords to keep your abuser out of your accounts.

    DO NOT use a name or password that contains any identifying information (no names, nicknames, initials, birthdates, zipcodes, etc.) Instead use a name and password that contains a random mix of letters, CAPITAL letters and numbers (for example, HJ3v67Tn) -

    Make sure you can remember the user name and password. If you must write it down somewhere, put it in a place your abuser is unlikely to find it.

    If the computer asks if you would like it to save your password or login information tell it NO.

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