Violence Against Women & Girls
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that
respects and enhances the freedom of others.
– Nelson Mandela
RAINN.ORG
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
800-656-HOPE
WomensLaw.org
WomensLaw.org provides plain-language legal information for victims of multiple types of abuse. They also have an email hotline, post updates on state laws on their website, and is part of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
NNEDV Hotline: 800-799-7233
NIWRC
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center – NIWRC’s mission is to provide national leadership to end violence against American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women by supporting culturally grounded, grassroots advocacy.
AHA Foundation
The AHA Foundation is breaking the silence, protecting liberty, and celebrating dignity. By cultivating critical thinking, promoting dialogue on campuses, and amplifying the voices of Muslim reformers, the AHA Foundation works to protect women from honor violence, forced marriage, and genital mutilation. To speak anonymously with a compassionate, non-judgmental crisis counselor for free 24/7, individuals facing honor violence and forced marriage can text FREE to 741-741. Texts are private and secure. A state-by-state resource guide of direct services organizations is on their website.
Native Alliance Against Violence
The Native Alliance Against Violence (NAAV) strives to unify tribal service programs throughout Oklahoma by providing culturally appropriate technical assistance, training and support to eliminate domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence.
STRONGHEARTS Native Hotline
STRONGHEARTS Native Helpline is a domestic, dating, and sexual violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy. 844-7NATIVE (762-8483) Anonymous and confidential.
Nationial Sexual Violence Resource Center
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s (NSVRC) mission is to provide leadership in preventing and responding to sexual violence through collaboration, sharing and creating resources, and promoting research.
National Network to End Domestic Violence
The National Network to End Domestic Violence is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which domestic violence no longer exists. NNEDV uplifts survivors and creates legislation at local and national levels.
Futures Without Violence
Futures Without Violence provides programs that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. FUTURES trains professionals such as doctors, nurses, judges, and athletic coaches on improving responses to violence and abuse. They also work with advocates, policymakers, and others to build sustainable community leadership and educate people everywhere about the importance of respect and healthy relationships.
Victim Rights Law Center
Victim Rights Law Center is a nonprofit law center solely dedicated to providing free legal services to rape and sexual assault survivors in Massachusetts and Oregon. They also provide training for lawyers, advocates, and educators nationwide. The VRLC's mission is to provide legal representation to victims of rape and sexual assault to help rebuild their lives; and to promote a national movement committed to seeking justice for every rape and sexual assault victim.
Southern Poverty Law Center
Southern Poverty Law Center has done what so few have been willing to do by taking what should be an obvious position and defined crimes motivated by misogynistic beliefs as hate crimes. GGWW absolutely stands behind this premise and advocates for misogynistic crimes being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as hate crimes. Our post titled Sometimes It’s More Than Entitlement: The Case for Hate in Chronicles specifically addresses this. The SPLC is the premier U.S. non-profit organization monitoring the activities of domestic hate groups and other extremists. SPLC publishes investigative reports, trains law enforcement officers and shares key intelligence, and offers expert analysis to the media and public.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
End Violence Against Women International helps improve outcomes for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and works to protect victims, prevent future attacks, and keep communities safe. There are many clinical facilities that do not have access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) or trained sexual assault examiners to provide expert care to patients across the life span following sexual assault or abuse. As a result, clinicians are often inadequately prepared to address the healthcare and evidentiary needs of this patient population, and patients may be turned away. EVAWI offers a free online training for all health care providers to provide improved care when no SANE is on staff. With the guidance conducted within this training, clinicians are more equipped to provide their patients with trauma-informed, patient-centered approach. EVAWI is also listed on GGWW’s Advocacy page.
End Rape on Campus
End Rape on Campus works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities; prevention through education, and policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels. EROC envisions a world in which each individual has an educational experience free from violence, and until then, that all survivors are believed, trusted, and supported.
TechSafety.org
Techsafety.org is exploring technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and violence against women. Managed by the Safety Net Project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), this blog discusses technology, privacy, and safety. Here you can find clear and concise information about how to protect yourself when technology and devices are being used to control and limit contact with others or deter access to help. Techsafety.org provides information about monitoring, spyware, and navigating internet resources without being tracked.
VINE
Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) is a victim notification network that allows survivors, victims of crime, and other concerned citizens to access timely and reliable information about offenders or criminal cases in U.S. jails and prisons. One can register to receive automated notifications via email, text, or phone call, or check custody status information online at any time. VINE is a lifesaving service that is available in 48 states and covers 2,900 incarceration facilities.
The Mary Byron Project
The Mary Byron Project’s Appellate and Advocacy program provides representation and advocacy for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in appeals when relief has been denied to them or when relief was granted but the perpetrator has filed an appeal. Mary Byron Project’s Training and Professional Development offers in-person and online professional training designed to help participants understand the dynamics of intimate partner violence, the application of law to situations involving intimate partner violence, and the need for changes in workplaces, courtrooms, and other settings.
North Carolina Victim Assistance Network
If you are in law enforcement the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network is offering technical assistance to jurisdictions nationwide for the development of Smartphone apps that assist first responders and crime victims. NCVAN and community partners created a guide for law enforcement to facilitate an effective and meaningful response to crime victims of homicide and trauma, human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. NCVAN provides technical assistance, at no cost, to requesting agencies pertaining to topic selections, development, desired services, related cost expenditures, marketing, and app management.
The Academy of Forensic Nursing
The Academy of Forensic Nursing links research to practice through dissemination of scholarship, education and service to those affected by and responding to trauma. Forensic nurses influence standards of practice globally through consensus documents, research, and professional practice, in areas as wide-ranging as the military, domestic abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, sexual assault, death investigation, and beyond. Specifically, forensic nurses are the primary medical provider needed when rape kits are necessary.
The GBV Prevention Network
The GBV Prevention Network is over 500 organizations, individuals, academics, and activist members, working in 18 different countries in the Horn, East and Southern Africa to build a just and violence-free world for women, united in its mission to uphold equality in homes and communities. The GBV Prevention Network works to increase momentum for violence against women (VAW) prevention by strengthening analysis, building connections and taking action to prevent VAW.
The Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women. NWAC is an aggregate of thirteen Native women’s organizations from across Canada committed to developing concrete actions to end the cycle of violence that affects Indigenous communities, particularly violence which may lead to the disappearance or death of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people. NWAC advocates on behalf of Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people to provide adequate long-term funding for healing and support services for families and communities.
JDoe
JDoe uses an an encryption algorithm to identify repeat offenders of abuse, assault, harassment, and rape, and create cases with multiple plaintiffs. JDoe provides direct access to civil lawyers and prosecutors, circumventing authorities who may not have survivors' best interests in mind, with the goal of making the reporting process simpler and safer and enable more survivors and witnesses to act within the statute of limitations of their state.
NO MORE Foundation
The NO MORE Foundation is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action, and fueling culture change. With more than 1,400 allied organizations and over 40 state, local, and international chapters, NO MORE sparks grassroots activism to amplify and grow the movement to stop and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities around the world by creating and supporting innovative campaigns, partnerships and tools that leverage the power of the media, entertainment, sports, technology, and collective action.
ValorUS
ValorUS is a national organization committed to advancing equity and ending sexual violence by building dynamic relationships across a diverse range of communities, institutions and systems, and mobilizing a network of survivors and advocates to influence change. Leadership, prevention, and advocacy guide the pursuit of a world free from violence where the dignity of every person is valued and respected.
Spotlight Initiative
The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, femicide, trafficking in human beings and sexual and economic (labour) exploitation. The Spotlight Initiative’s work is rooted in research that amplifies the belief that the leadership and deep engagement of civil society is at the core of transformative and sustainable change in the elimination of violence against women and girls. Civil society, in particular women’s rights and feminist activists and movements, is a central and paramount partner of the Spotlight Initiative.
Operation Safe Escape
Operation Safe Escape empowers individuals impacted by domestic violence, supports organizations providing safe places to go, and supports law enforcement with resources and training related to technical aspects of abuse, stalking, harassment, and other crimes. Those seeking to leave violent situations can receive help to develop secure communication channels with their support system and local shelters. All services to individuals and organizations are without charge.
Go Ask Rose
Go Ask Rose is the client-facing site designed to complement the outreach and assistance services of Operation Safe Escape to help you or someone you care about, safely leave an abusive relationship. GoAskRose.com outlines four steps using military and law enforcement security principles to securely plan and coordinate an exit. Go Ask Rose has many guides and resources that address specific situations including financial, stalking, hacking, secure communication, and online presence, with technical support.
It's On Us
It’s On Us combines grassroots organizing with high-impact culture change campaigns to combat campus sexual assault: engaging all students, including young men, and activating the largest student organizing program of its kind in grassroots awareness and prevention education programs. The on-campus work is grounded in a peer-to-peer sexual assault prevention education model that empowers students to each one another sexual assault awareness and consent education, bystander intervention and survivor support.
RALIANCE
RALIANCE is a national partnership dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation to improve cultures and create environments free from sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse. RALIANCE helps leaders establish safe workplaces and strong communities by advancing research, influencing policy, and supporting innovative programs with resources from three leading national sexual violence prevention organizations into a single, unified force. As part of The Learning Exchange, their Sport and Prevention Center offers research and resources to support the belief that sport culture is uniquely positioned to set norms and standards that can create conditions in which sexual violence is not accepted.
Canadian Women's Foundation
Canadian Women’s Foundation works to build a gender equal Canada by transforming lives, improving services, and changing systems. Their work for gender equality focuses on women and leadership, women in poverty, gender-based violence, sexual assault and harassment, and the barriers girls face and their effects.
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women is one of the oldest international organizations working to end the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and girls. Through an approach rooted in women’s rights and human rights principles, CATW advocates for strong laws and policies, raises public awareness and supports survivor leadership.
The Pixel Project
The Pixel Project is a completely virtual, volunteer-led organization whose mission is to raise awareness, funds, and volunteer power to end violence against women using the power of the internet, social media, new technologies, and popular culture and the arts. Through campaigns, initiatives, projects, and programmes, the Pixel Project coalition of grassroots activists mobilises a global effort to end violence against girls and women.
PAVE
PAVE is a national nonprofit that works both to prevent sexual assault and heal survivors through social advocacy, prevention education, and survivor support. Shattering the Silence with PAVE is a movement to create a world free of sexual violence and build communities that support survivors by empowering students, parents, and civic leaders. Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment.
Tahirih Justice Center
Tahirih Justice Center is a national, multi-city organization providing a broad range of direct legal services, policy advocacy, and training and education to protect immigrant women and girls fleeing gender based violence. By elevating their voices in communities, courts, and Congress, Tahirih Justice Center is advocating for a world where all women and girls enjoy equality and live in safety with dignity.
SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is an independent, peer network of survivors of institutional sexual abuse and their supporters who work to support survivors, protect children, protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and expose the truth. SNAP is a confidential self-help group for clergy sex abuse victims, whether assaulted by ministers, priests, nuns or rabbis. SNAP advocates for stronger laws, exposes predators and those who shield them, and empowers survivors to recover.
UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict
The UN Against Sexual Violence in Conflict is a network of 24 United Nations entities, united with the goal of ending sexual violence during and in the wake of armed conflict. Working as one UN, UN Action aims to prevent conflict related sexual violence, enhance accountability, and meet the needs of survivors of sexual violence.
FreeFrom
FreeFrom envisions a world in which all IPV survivors are able to build the wealth and financial security necessary to support their individual, intergenerational, and community healing – enabling them to thrive. FreeFrom is reframing IPV as a structural economic issue that intersects with other systems of oppression and is building an ecosystem of support to ensure that survivors have the resources to get safe, heal, and prevent future harm.
The Coalition on Violence Against Women
The Coalition on Violence Against Women is a national Kenyan not-for-profit women’s rights organization working towards achieving a society free from all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). COVAW invests in empowering women and girls to claim their rights, enabling equitable access to services, resources and opportunities, facilitating greater access to justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and supporting change agents opposed to and committed to eradication of all forms of VAWG.
IKWRO
IKWRO provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan women and girls living in the UK, who have experienced, or are at risk of all forms of “honour” based abuse, including; forced marriage, child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), or domestic abuse, with services in Kurdish, Farsi, Arabic, Dari, Turkish, and English. IKWRO also offers training for professionals and campaign to improve laws and policies that protect women’s and girl’s rights.
Kering Foundation
The Kering Foundation supports women impacted by violence. Acting with key partners, The Kering Foundation supports survivor-centered services, implements programs to promote gender equality, and mobilizes networks. Partnering with local experts, survivor organizations are provided with support relevant to country and culture.
Esperanza United
Esperanza United mobilizes Latinas and Latin@ communities to end gender-based violence. Working in community strengths and wisdom, and serving Latin@s locally and nationwide, Esperanza United’s Latina Advocacy Framework provides the foundation to support Latin@ survivors, families, and communities gain greater safety, connectedness, and self-sufficiency.
The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center
The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center is a federally funded project providing education and resources about the crime of stalking, with the aim to enhance the response to stalking by educating the professionals tasked with keeping stalking victims safe and holding offenders accountable. SPARC provides a multi-faceted approach to programming by assisting multi-disciplinary professionals with information, resources, and policy and protocol development through technical assistance endeavors. SPARC also provides local, regional, statewide, and national trainings to U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grantees and potential grantees. Direct assistance to stalking victims is not provided by SPARC, however the website has resources such as stalking logs and safety plans. Go to What to do if You Are Being Stalked at the bottom of any page on the site. An interactive Stalking Statute Map is available to learn about stalking statutes in all US jurisdictions, as they vary significantly.
The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women
The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, managed by UN Women on behalf of the UN system, is the only global grant-making mechanism dedicated to eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls. Since its establishment in 1996 by UN General Assembly resolution 50/166, the UN Trust Fund has awarded USD 198 million to 609 initiatives in 140 countries and territories. Focusing on preventing violence, implementing laws and policies, and improving access to vital services for survivors, the UN Trust Fund invests in life-changing initiatives. The UN Trust Fund is committed to advocating for adequate, sustainable funding for efforts to end violence against women and girls, and funding organizations that are operating at the grassroots level, focused on women’s rights, and that are women-led.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides highly trained advocates, available 24/7, to assist in creating a safety plan. A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave an abusive situation, or after leaving. This plan includes vital information tailored to the unique situation and will help prepare for and respond to different scenarios, including telling friends and family about the situation, coping with emotions, and various resources suited to individual circumstances. Available by phone, online chat, or text.
Surviving Economic Abuse
One in six women in the UK has experienced economic abuse by a current or former partner. Surviving Economic Abuse is dedicated to raising awareness and transforming responses to economic abuse. Surviving Economic Abuse provides information and resources for victim-survivors and professionals, and works with industries, regulators, and policymakers.
Clinic to End Tech Abuse
The Clinic to End Tech Abuse provides computer security and privacy for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), working directly with abuse survivors to determine if someone is using technology to harm them – and what they can do to stay safe. CETA also facilitates cutting-edge research to understand and address how abusers, stalkers, and others can misuse technology. The website houses resources and a series of guides to assist abuse survivors with tech-related security.
GBV Resonders' Network
GBV Responders’ Network is a team of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) comprised of 450 field staff and technical experts, including specialists in primary prevention, care for child survivors, economic programming, and service delivery, among others. Collectively, this team advances the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for humanitarian workers to serve survivors of gender-based violence with effective, comprehensive programming that meets the specific needs of women and girls. In partnership with communities and institutions, GBV Responders’ Network advocates for and protect the rights of women and girls while cultivating conditions in which women and girls can recover from violence and thrive.
Acid Survivors Foundation
Acid Survivors Foundation was founded in response to the prevalence of attacks in Bangladesh against women and children with acid. ASF seeks to prevent acid and burn violence through an integrated approach and the engagement of national and international stakeholders backed by research, experience, and evidence. ASF offers medical, legal, rehabilitation, and reintegration support, along with prevention programs.
Strategic Initiative for the Women in the Horn of Africa
Strategic Initiative for the Women in the Horn of Africa is an inclusive and diverse feminist women’s rights network that holds a unique position working as a regional civil society network in politically volatile contexts. SIHA works in a variety of cultural, political, and geographical environments in Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan and South Sudan. In this part of the world, women are regularly portrayed and perceived as victims, but SIHA challenges the status quo and the notion that African women are victims. SIHA acknowledges that almost all challenges women face are based on socially constructed norms and these norms actively subordinate women. SIHA approaches the struggle for women’s rights in the Greater Horn of Africa as a political one and holds fundamental political transformation at the forefront.
Aurora New Dawn
Aurora New Dawn is a feminist led charity dedicated to ending violence against women and children, and hidden violence. Aurora New Dawn offers safety, support, advocacy, and empowerment to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. We offer a variety of services and are involved in supporting feminist campaigns to end male violence against women. Our work is guided by the principles set out in the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against or CEDAW, often referred to as an international bill of rights for women.
Karma Nirvana
Karma Nirvana campaigns against honour based violence: supporting, empowering and educating those impacted, in order to live a life free of abuse. Karma Nirvana runs a national (UK) Honour Based Abuse Hotline, produces data on honour violence, trains frontline practitioners and professionals, and works with parliamentarians and policy makers.
SAFE Ireland
SAFE Ireland is the National Social Change Agency addressing domestic violence in Ireland, working innovatively and strategically to transform culture and the response to gender-based violence. SAFE Ireland engages in research to shape response and prevent violence, informs public policy, is increasing capacity and frontline services, raises public awareness, and provides training to corporate organizations and NGOs.