Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy

Adopting an accessible, culturally responsive, trauma-informed (ACRTI) approach to domestic and sexual violence (DSV) advocacy means doing work that is inclusive and accessible to all survivors, attuned to a wide range of people’s experiences, and relevant to the people and communities we serve. ACRTI is a healing-centered approach, ensuring our work is grounded in dignity, respect, and justice by honoring people’s strengths and creativity, fostering resilience and healing, and supporting activism and social change. Central to this work is attending the well-being of staff, organizations, and our communities as a whole.

Advocacy involves a partnership with survivors—listening actively and trusting survivors to be the experts on their own experiences. Healing is born out of empowering and egalitarian relationships that are survivor-led, focusing on what survivors define as important for themselves and their families. The integrated ACRTI framework:

• Is grounded in advocacy perspectives
• Incorporates an understanding of trauma and its effects
• Creates accessible environments
• Recognizes the centrality of culture
• Is committed to human rights and social justice