Be the Person Someone Can Turn To.
When someone finally speaks about abuse, the first person they turn to is often not a professional.It may be a friend.A sister or brother.A coworker.
A neighbor.
It may be you.
It may be a friend.
A sister or brother.
A coworker.
A neighbor.
It may be you.
DV Ally helps ordinary people understand domestic violence and learn how to respond without judgment, blame, or unintended harm.
Why Ally Literacy Matters
Domestic violence is not something that only happens somewhere else.
It is happening in our families, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities.
THE REAL REASON DV ALLY EXISTS
The First Response Matters.
When someone tells another person they are being abused, what happens next matters.
A survivor may already be struggling with fear, confusion, isolation, financial dependence, children, family pressure, cultural expectations
concern about what will happen if they leave.
Then they finally tell someone.
And they hear:
"Why don't you just leave?”
“Why did you go back?”
“Are you sure it was really abuse?”
“I would never put up with that.”
Comments like these may seem logical to the person saying them.To someone experiencing abuse, they can sound like:
This is your fault.
What if the response were different?
“I believe you.”
“I'm glad you told me.”
“You don't have to convince me.”
“How can I support you?”
“I'm still here.”
Bottom line:An informed response cannot solve everything.But it can make someone feel less alone.
OUR PURPOSE
This Is Why We Spread Awareness.
Not simply so more people know the definition of domestic violence.
We want to change the way communities respond to it.We want fewer survivors met with:
We want fewer survivors met with:
Shame.
Disbelief.
Judgment.
Interrogation.
Isolation.
And more survivors met with:
Belief.
Understanding.
Dignity.
Information.
Support.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN INFORMED ALLY?
RECOGNIZE
Understand that domestic violence is not limited to physical assault.It can include coercive control, emotional abuse, financial abuse, stalking, intimidation, isolation and technology-facilitated abuse.
RESPOND
Know what helps, what can unintentionally cause harm and what not to say.
CONNECT
Know when professional advocacy, legal, medical, therapeutic or crisis resources may be useful.
LISTEN
Give someone room to speak without interrogating, judging or demanding that their story make perfect sense.
RESPECT
Remember that the survivor remains the decision-maker in their own life.Supporting someone does not mean taking control away from them.
You do not have to rescue someone to be an ally.You can become a safer person for them to turn to.
WHAT WE DO Practical Education for Everyday Allies Six clean cards across two rows. DV ALLY 101 Foundational education about domestic violence, coercive control, survivor behavior, disclosure and supportive response. WHAT NOT TO SAY Practical guidance for replacing common but harmful comments with more supportive responses. SURVIVOR BEHAVIOR LITERACY Understanding delayed disclosure, returning, continued contact and other behaviors that are frequently misunderstood. WORKPLACE & COMMUNITY EDUCATION Learning sessions for workplaces, schools, libraries, faith communities and community organizations. DIGITAL RESOURCE LIBRARY Downloadable guides, conversation tools, scripts and public education materials. AI & SURVIVOR SAFETY Developing principles and guardrails for safer AI responses when conversations involve domestic violence.
