Skip to main content

LGBTQ+ Resources

Awareness & Collaboration

DCADV is committed to sharing important information with victims and the community at large and engaging and partnering with individuals and organizations to help achieve our mission to end domestic violence in Delaware.

Awareness

Public education is a cornerstone of DCADV's mission and advocacy. DCADV believes that it is imperative to increase public awareness about the terrible cost of domestic violence in our country, where it's estimated that one in four women will be victimized in her lifetime.

DCADV engages in public education initiatives that are aimed at raising awareness in the community and providing information regarding the services and resources available to victims needing help.

Ongoing awareness efforts include events, outreach to media, special exhibits, presentations and trainings, resource tables, and the creation and dissemination of print and electronic materials to alert the public about the widespread incidence of domestic violence and violence against women both nationally and in Delaware.  We also provide valuable resources and information that connect victims with the resources and services provided by our member and partner direct service programs.

As part of our mission and outreach efforts, DCADV also supports both the Women of Color Task Force (WOCTF) and WEAVER (Women Empowered Against Abuse in Every Relationship, a survivors' task force) to help ensure that our work reflects both the diverse communities we serve and the victims we seek to empower. The WOCTF has dedicated many hours to providing training on domestic violence for faith communities in Delaware and helps inform our work in communities of color. WEAVER represents a vital voice for victims and survivors, helps raise awareness in the community with a specific focus on victims, and informs both the community and service providers about the needs of domestic violence victims.

Each October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, DCADV, along with its member organizations and government and corporate partners, engages in public education activities intended to raise public awareness and commitment with regard to addressing domestic violence in our society.

Collaboration

DCADV has a long history of working collaboratively at local, regional, and national levels on efforts to improve Delaware’s system response to victims and abusers. DCADV staff serve on dozens of committees to ensure that the safety and empowerment of victims is paramount, and that offenders are held accountable. Recent and current examples are listed below.

DCADV staff:

  • support and participate in a number of committees, events, and initiatives hosted by partners, including the Victims’ Rights Task Force, Domestic Violence Task Force, Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Sexual Assault Network of Delaware, ChristianaCare, University of Delaware, NAMI Delaware, Criminal Justice Council, and Department of Health and Social Services
  • work with the Division of Public Health to deepen collaborative efforts around prevention and other issues such as maternal/child health
  • worked with a multidisciplinary data workgroup led by the University of Delaware's Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies on the 2010 Delaware School Survey related to dating violence
  • work with 10 other State Coalitions as part of the CDC-funded DELTA national collaborative; As part of the national DELTA Prep program, DCADV served as a mentor to other funded Coalitions in the mid-Atlantic region pursuing prevention initiatives
  • serve on the Trauma Matters Delaware Steering Group
  • serve on the Victim Services Subcommittee of the Human Trafficking Interagency Coordinating Council
  • serve as core faculty for the Delaware Victim Assistance Academy, training new victim advocates on best practices for service provision

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.

Close Menu