by Kristina Moen

DVSAS Advocate

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I am an advocate with the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juans. The two questions I get asked most often are: “Does that really happen on the islands?” (Answer: Yes) and “What does an advocate do?” (Answer: Keep reading…).

People come to us in different ways. Some people call our 24-hour crisis line. Others are referred by their doctor, teacher, pastor, or friend. When law enforcement makes an arrest for assault, they give our agency name to the victim. We offer free, confidential help to anyone who asks, regardless of age, gender, or language. Our staff is diverse and includes men and fluent Spanish speakers.

We offer advocacy-based counseling. This means that we work to empower people through reinforcing their autonomy and self-determination. Many people in abusive relationships are told by the person they love, through words and actions, that they are worthless and powerless. They often believe the abuse is their fault.

The first meeting includes developing a safety plan. A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that helps people detect and avoid danger. This process helps them articulate and understand the cycle of abuse within their own relationship and how they can stay safe.

We offer legal advocacy for people who are seeking protection orders. We help them fill out paperwork, prepare their testimony, and accompany them to court. We provide resources for people facing immigration, custody issues, or other legal challenges as a result of their abuse.

We offer medical advocacy. We can accompany someone to a rape exam, help them obtain birth control or a pregnancy test, and assess STD risk. Sometimes abusers sabotage birth control or use physical intimidation to pressure a woman to become pregnant. Adolescents are at particular risk.

Sometimes we respond to phone calls in the middle of the night. Someone has decided to leave their abuser, and they are scared. Where can they go? Their abuser knows their friends and family. What about their children? We can help them find short-term confidential housing and transportation assistance. Together, we identify barriers to their safety and overcome those barriers.

Social and family support plays a key role in the healing process. We develop partnerships with local therapists so that clients can continue and support their healing. We provide services for family members experiencing secondary trauma. Our agency offers support groups for adults and teenagers. Some survivors of abuse find healing through participating in our community awareness and prevention programs.

If you know someone living with abuse, please call our 24-hour crisis line. We can help.

24-Hour Crisis Lines

Lopez: 468-4567

San Juan: 378-2345

Orcas: 376-1234

(Addition for the Lopez newspaper): Have you seen the silhouettes on Fisherman Bay Road? You are invited to come and meet your local advocates at our Silent Witness Vigil on Thursday, October 29th at 5pm at the Lopez Center Pavilion.