The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence And What It Can Do To Help

If you are a survivor of domestic violence or have a friend, family relative, or coworker whom you suspect could be in danger, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence can be an important resource for advice and help. Domestic violence can thrive in silence and secrecy, and the Coalition seeks to shine a light on the way out. 

Whether you're considering reaching out to the Coalition and want to know what resources they may offer or you're thinking of lending your support, we've outlined the ways this group is working to raise awareness and offer assistance to survivors of domestic violence.

What is The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence?

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) can help those who have lived through domestic violence to recover. It also attempts to raise awareness for families or communities to make sure that survivors are cared for and abusers are held responsible and accountable for their actions. While conversations about domestic violence often focus on violence against women, all people can experience domestic abuse, and the Coalition works to raise awareness for everyone affected. The Coalition also seeks to change the entire culture around domestic violence as well as the legal ramifications. They also aim to increase the way others understand domestic violence and to add programs and educational opportunities, including domestic violence classes, that can lead to extensive knowledge and change.

In 1994, they were involved in the passing of the Violence Against Women Act, which hopes to lead to greater support for survivors and a higher rate of prosecution for domestic violence offenders. The Coalition has also helped make progress by lending its support to the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and other measures.

Getting the help you need

For those who need assistance, there is help available through this organization, and others like it as well. Not only that but there is psychological help available through a range of different programs. 

The Cosmetic And Reconstructive Surgery Program

If the abuse you have lived through resulted in injuries to the head, face, or neck, the NCADV offers a cosmetic and reconstructive surgery program. This program can allow you to get help with facial plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery to repair injuries or scars. Assistance is targeted toward those who are unable to afford surgery on their own and is offered in conjunction with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

National Domestic Violence Conference

This conference is for advocates as well as survivors to learn about what is happening within society when it comes to domestic violence. In this way, it can become possible for those attending to see what still needs to be done and how they can take action and make change happen.

Speaker's Bureau

The NCADV also has a speaker's bureau called Voices, which allows those who have been affected by domestic violence to tell their stories and contribute to the conversation about domestic violence. Survivors can empower themselves and help others by communicating about their experiences. Speakers also work with advocates to help increase the current knowledge of domestic violence as well as influence applicable laws.

Online training

Since 2016, the NCADV  has hosted webinars every month. These webinars can provide opportunities for anyone to learn more about the situation as it currently is and what they can do about it in the future.

Public policy collaboration efforts

NCADV works to influence legislation supporting domestic violence survivors and their families. The coalition seeks to change the ways that laws can currently affect domestic violence situations with the help of similarly-minded national organizations. The goal is to change the way that we, as a society, view domestic violence, prevent reoccurrences, and support survivors. NCADV works to be a voice to Congress and other governmental agencies for others.

Take a Stand for Healthy Relationships

Domestic violence advocacy can also involve teaching methods of prevention. While not always the case, some perpetrators of domestic violence might be survivors themselves or might have been otherwise not taught healthy ways of managing their anger and frustration. In response, the coalition established Take a Stand FOR Healthy Relationships, an incentive that focuses on educating students on how to create supportive relationships, establish effective communication, and manage emotions healthily. 

Remember My Name

Another project created with the efforts of the NCADV is "Remember My Name," which honors men, women, and children who have been killed by their abusers anywhere within the country. This is a national registry that is constantly updated and allows accurate statistics about domestic violence to be retained. Each year, a poster is released by the coalition in memorial of those who lost their lives.

Hope and Power for Your Personal Finances

Domestic abusers may use money to wield power. An abuser may attain complete control over their partner's finances if the two are married or living together or prevent their partner from being employed in one way or another. As such, it can be very difficult for some people living with domestic violence to escape their situation and get back on their feet financially. This can become a barrier that can prevent people from leaving their abusers or may send them back after initially leaving.

To address this common barrier, the NCADV partnered with The National Endowment for Financial Education to create a program called Hope & Power for Your Personal Finances: A Rebuilding Guide Following Domestic Violence. This program is designed to help those who are leaving behind domestic violence situations to regain understanding and control of their finances. It can teach survivors to make the most out of their financial situation and understand how to rebuild it in a positive way for their future. That way, those who are afraid to leave their abuser for financial reasons can see their options.

The Disarm Domestic Violence Program

Recently, several nonprofit organizations, including the NCADV, partnered together to launch the Disarm Domestic Violence program. This program is a partnership between the NCADV and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Foundation, the Prosecutors Against Gun Violence, and the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. The goal of this initiative is to help disarm abusers by taking steps to remove firearms from their possession. 

Online therapy can offer space to leave or heal from a domestic violence situation

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is doing important work to help survivors of domestic violence and their loved ones. If you or someone you know is looking for more resources related to domestic violence, consider reaching out to Regain. Many people share in surveys that they feel more comfortable opening up over online mediums as opposed to in person. Also, online therapy has the added perk of offering effective therapy as a reduced cost. Studies show that online therapy is just as effective as in person therapy in reducing the symptoms of various mental health concerns such as anxiety, PTSD, or depression. On Regain, you can get started with a brief questionnaire, then be matched with a therapist or counselor who is specific to your case.