DSVCO's Values
The values of the DSVCO guide our work including: how we make decisions, build and improve our system response, and uphold our commitments to survivors and system partners. We work toward a future where survivors are met by responsive, equitable, and trauma-informed systems and communities.
We Believe Survivors
- We believe survivors when they share about how their relationships, communities, and our systems impact them.
- We respond with care, respect, and without judgement.
We Act with Hope
- We believe a safer future is possible for everyone.
- We work every day toward a future where all people experience safe and thriving relationships.
We Advance Equity in Our Actions
- Efforts to prevent and intervene in domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking can cause further harm if we don’t fight for equity, justice, and inclusion for all survivors.
- We are committed to supporting survivors who face the greatest barriers in our systems and communities, where access, support, and opportunities are too often limited or denied.
- We consistently reflect on our work with survivors and with system partners to challenge racism, ableism, and all forms of oppression.
- We take action with system partners, advocating for more just, inclusive and equitable system responses so that all survivors may experience dignity, safety, and belonging.
We Work to Make Services Easier to Access
- We are committed to making our services more accessible to all survivors.
- We respect what survivors say they need and take action to reduce barriers.
- We leverage funding, partnerships, and system coordination to improve access to supportive services.
- We continue to learn and improve so more people can get the specific support they need.
We Are Transparent About the Limits of Confidentiality
- Survivor safety requires careful consideration about confidentiality.
- We clearly explain what we can and cannot keep private so survivors can make informed choices.
- We are transparent about when and if information may be shared, and use information sharing tools to support survivor choice, safety, and autonomy.
We Share Decision-Making Where We Can
- Survivors know what is best for their own lives. The support we give and the systems change we advocate for must be shaped by their knowledge.
- We look for ways to share power and include survivors and system partners in decisions that affect them.
- We are transparent about the imbalances of power that exist in our systems and relationships.
- We listen to survivors and system partners, continue to examine how power and privilege show up in our work, and adapt our approaches in order to share decision making power in more meaningful ways.
We Promote Healing, Safety, and Wellbeing
- We are committed to changing the systems we work within so that all survivors have what they need to access healing, safety, and wellbeing.
- We design and support services that help survivors feel safe, respected, and connected, and understand that survivors have different needs.
- We work to reduce shame and blame and support survivors in building the futures they want.