Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Box/folder, Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance records, M 432, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance in 2007.

Historical Information

The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance (VSDVAA) is a nonprofit agency committed to advocacy for victims of sexual and domestic abuse. Staff and volunteers collaborate with health professionals, law enforcement officers, and legislators, among other partners, in an effort to prevent and assist survivors of sexual and domestic violence. They produce a wide variety of publications, develop outreach programs, and provide training sessions to promote public awareness. Their goal is to prevent sexual and domestic violence by advancing social justice and providing individuals with the knowledge and tools to pursue healthy relationships.

The alliance was formed on October 1, 2004, when the nonprofit agencies Virginians Against Domestic Violence (VADV), founded in 1979 in Williamsburg, and Virginians Aligned Against Sexual Assault (VAASA), founded in 1980 in Charlottesville, joined together as a unified entity. The two organizations had worked together on various initiatives since the 1990s, including the VAdata Sexual and Domestic Violence Collection System created in 1996 and the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline established in 1997. Their consolidation in 2004 was led by co-directors of VADV, Kristi Van Audenhove and Ruth Micklem, and the director of VAASA, Jeanine Bieber.

Scope and Content

The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Alliance records primarily consist of materials generated and collected by its predecessor organization, VADV. These records document the VADV's and VSDVAA's day-to-day operations, public programs, and advocacy activities, and research on the issues of domestic and sexual violence and related topics.

Series 1: Administrative Files, 1981-2006. This series contains records created by VADV and VSDVAA that document the operational functions of the organizations. Materials include bylaws, mission statements, reports, plans, correspondence, financial documents, job descriptions, and materials documenting the organization's history.

Series 2: Project Files, 1985-2005. This series consists of materials generated by VADV and VSDVAA in the course of completing various projects, including creating and administering public programs and outreach activities. Materials found in this series include brochures, fact sheets, guides, newsletters, fliers, reports, notes, programs, and invitations.

Series 3: Reference Files, 1972-2005. The materials in this series consist of brochures, booklets, guides, reports, newsletters, articles, notes, and advertising materials collected by VADV and VSDVAA, many published by other agencies. These materials address domestic and sexual violence and a wide variety of related topics including emotional abuse, substance abuse, child care, available resources, legislation, victim's rights, household management, and personal finance.

Series 4: Press Files, 1979-2004. This series contains newspaper clippings of articles concerning domestic and sexual violence, particularly in Virginia, as well as a scrapbook of clippings, photographs, and other materials documenting the activities of VADV from 1979 to 1988. Also found in this series are a certificate and proclamation announcing observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1992 and 1998, respectively, and a program for the YWCA Outstanding Women Awards at which a member of the VADV board was recognized.

Series 5: Photographic Materials, circa 1983-2001. Materials in this series included photographic prints, negatives, and inkjet-printed photographs that document major events, conferences, training sessions, retreats, and special projects.

Arrangement

This collection is divided into five series: Series 1: Administrative Files, 1981-2006; Series 2: Project Files, 1985-2005; Series 3: Reference Files, 1972-2005; Series 4: Press Files, 1979-2004; and Series 5: Photographic Materials, circa 1983-2001.

Files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Micklem, Ruth