Local Resources and Reporting
Looking for help after an assault can be an overwhelming, which is why we created this page which contains resources for survivors located in Charlottesville. We made sure to include resources that are available to UVA students and community members alike so that everyone can get the assistance that they need.
In addition to the resources, this page also provides a brief overview of the Title IX and Criminal Trial process. We at UVA Survivors also made a YouTube video giving advice to survivors who are contemplating reporting to Title IX. We hope that these resources assist you on your path towards healing and justice.
Local Resources and Reporting
Legal Aid Justice Center "Provides legal assistance in a large number of civil areas including housing, employment, education, and public benefits." - Not currently accepting new sexual violence clients; will update when they are
Central VA Legal Aid Society "Provides legal assistance to qualifying clients who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and to immigrants seeking asylum from persecution in their country of origin."
Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE) "A safe house option for survivors of domestic violence and/or intimate partner violence; referrals, counseling, and support groups. Provides supportive services to victims and survivors of domestic violence. Services include counseling, legal advocacy, group and individual counseling, emergency shelter, and a confidential 24-hour hotline."
The Haven "Day shelter that offers a safe, and welcoming environment for underserved individuals to get breakfast, shower, access computers, and to receive mail."
Maxine Platzer Lynn Women's Center "Provides free individual, couples and group counseling services to students, faculty & staff, and community members. Also offering outreach and leadership programs."
Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARA) "Provides supportive services to victims and survivors of sexual violence. Services include counseling, legal advocacy, group and individual counseling, information and referrals, and a confidential 24- hour hotline."
Counseling & Psychological Services "Responds to the mental health needs of UVA students while also providing consultation, education, outreach, and crisis management to the broader UVA community."
Pflag Blue Ridge: Charlottesville Anti-Violence Project "Provides information, peer support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ persons, their families, and their friends. Visit their website for contact information, as well as meeting schedules."
UVA Teen & Young Adult Health Center "Comprehensive healthcare services to teens and young adults up to age 26, including transgender health services, mental health assessment, eating disorder assessment and treatment and mental health assessments. Most insurance accepted and financial assistance is available."
Ayana "Online support for marginalized and intersectional communities."
Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation "Free virtual support for Black people and African-Americans."
Creciendo Juntos "Resources and supportive services for Latinx individuals and families."
Know Your IX "Know Your IX is an American political advocacy group founded in 2013. It aims to inform students of their right to an education free from gender-based violence under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in institutions receiving federal government funding."
The Women's Initiative "The mission of The Women’s Initiative is to provide women with effective counseling, social support, and education so they can transform life challenges into positive change and growth" Their services include: free walk-in/call-in one-on-one sessions during designated hours, group and social support, counseling, and more. Their confidentiality statement can be found here.
On Our Own "Our mission is to provide free peer support, self-help, education, guidance, advocacy, and referral services for adults who have acknowledge that they have experienced significant problems in their lives due to challenges with mental health, substance use, or trauma." This group offers a large variety peer support group spaces, virtual and in-person.
*if this list feels overwhelming, feel free to email us for help in looking through options, contacting services to see if they're a good fit, and weighing your options!
Title IX
Title IX is a federal law that requires schools to respond and investigate reports of sexual harrasment or violence to ensure that everyone has equal access to education. This process involves reporting the incident to the university and there are many different sanctions that are possible: formal letter of apology, suspension, expulsion, or more.
Title IX Advice
Deciding whether or not to report to Title IX can be a very stressful and daunting task, which is why me (Alyssa) and some of the other members of UVA Survivors wanted to create this video. These tips are coming from people who went through the process first-hand so we know what the experience is like to go through a Title IX case. We hope this video is a helpful resource and can assist you in making the best decision for yourself.
What Does Justice Look Like for Survivors?
"Writer Kai Cheng Thom suggests that justice is “a slow process of naming and transforming violence into growth and repair.” In this video, survivors and people who work with them explore how transformative justice can offer hope for healing and repair. At the core of their reflections is the question of what justice looks like when survivors of harm are given the time and space to imagine it."
Criminal Trial
Undergoing a criminal trial can be an extremely long and arduous process. Sexual assault cases are notorious for being difficult to adjudicate and our current justice system does not allow for victim's voices to fully be heard. With this in mind, a criminal trial is one option that a victim can undertake if they desire a or feel that jail time is the best option for themselves and the safety of their community.
He Said, She Said: Testifying at a Sexual Assault Trial
This video gives a glimpse into what it is like to testify in court as a sexual assault victim. Watch as Mandy Gray, a PhD student woman who was sexually assaulted, is being prepped by her lawyer for the cross examination questions and other aspects of the trail ahead.
d against an accused.
What Happens During a Rape Kit Exam
"Every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted in the Unite States and a rape kit is one of the most powerful tools to help bring a perpetrator to justice. This is what a rape kit exam looks like. " against an accused.
What Happens When You Report a Sexual Assault?
Jaq Avery provides an overview of what the process is like to report your sexual assault to the police.
Sexual Assault Reporting - "I Don't Want to Ruin His Life" (Why I Decided to Report)
"All I could think for the first two weeks following my sexual assault was, "I don't want to ruin his life," by reporting it to the police. Lately, I've read a lot of comments online with survivors saying the same thing. Here is why I decided to break my silence and how I discovered that telling the truth was not ruining a life - it was saving mine."
Restorative Justice: An Alternative
Course on Restorative Justice created by graduate students at George Washington University in collaboration with UVA Survivors. We DO NOT wish RJ to be co-opted by institutions and organizations trying to create the illusion of good politics. It must be followed in all its tenets and concepts, and its Indigenous roots recognized and respected. ***We recommend that it be done in multiple sittings, as it is comprehensive and covers the many ways RJ can be applied in our communities.***
How a Sexual Assault Survivor Found Justice Outside the Courtroom
This survivor was able to find justice when her assailant took accountability for assaulting her. After that, she felt like she was able to forgive him and begin her journey towards healing.
Central Virginia Community Justice
A restorative justice pilot program has been established in Charlottesville and they accept referrals. We will add more information on their referral process once they let us know the details. Here is an article with more information on their history. Here is their website.