Dear Friends of SARA,  It is officially crunch time at the Virginia General Assembly. Committees in the House and the Senate are considering amendments to the Governor's budget—including amendments introduced by Delegate Delaney and Senator Favola to establish a new Put Victims First Fund and to make an initial investment of $30 Million each year into the funds for grants to Sexual and Domestic Violence Agencies, Victim Witness programs, Child Advocacy Centers and other victim-service providers.   The consequences of reducing funding, to every victi ..read more

Sourced from https://www.teendvmonth.org Signs of Teen Dating Violence Romantic relationships between teenagers are incredibly complicated. The undertaking of a relationship, very often, requires more maturity than most teens have developed. These relationships are more likely to be riddled with problems include communication, jealousy, and selflessness. As a result, teenagers are more likely to be involved in relationships that are unhealthy, violent, and/or abusive. If you are a teenager involved in a romantic relationship it is important to understand the behaviors that may point to an unhe ..read more

Dear Friends of SARA, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when we come together to shed light on the pervasive issue that affects countless lives particularly within historically oppressed communities. The Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) and the Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE) have dedicated over four decades to supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence in the Charlottesville area. Each organization adapted over the years yet, with a remarkable history of mutual support, this partnership continues to thrive. Between sharing knowledge and making time for fe ..read more

Dear Friends of SARA, This role affords me the privilege of witnessing the profound impact SARA has on the lives of survivors of sexual violence and the responsibility of sharing that impact with each of you. This month, I want to emphasize the invaluable nature of our commitment to providing free services to survivors and the far-reaching economic consequences of sexual violence. The article "Economics as a Factor in Sexual Violence” describes the profound economic toll of sexual violence on individuals and our communities. The financial strain stemming from medical bills, therapy expenses, a ..read more

SARA's Core Mission: Empowering Survivors of Sexual Violence At SARA, our foremost mission is to empower survivors of sexual violence. Through ongoing adaptive learning and continuous development, our dedicated staff is committed to aiding clients in their journey towards healing and recovery. Our Commitment to Inclusivity We take pride in offering free and confidential support services to all survivors, without discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and more. We stand by survivors, regardless of their background or identity. Specialized Trauma Therapy ..read more

Dear Friends of SARA, I am humbled and honored to write to you as the Interim Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Resource Agency. Summer is a season of reflection for many nonprofits as a new fiscal year begins. In this spirit, I’ve been reflecting on SARA’s strengths, including our dedicated team and each of you who support our work in your own unique way. I want to share how your donations and the dedication of our staff make our critical work possible. Your donations made so much possible this year. From July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023: - 327 clients received 2,760 hours of service ..read more

In our chaotic and demanding world, we often forget about ourselves while prioritizing the needs of others. At SARA, we believe self-care is essential for maintaining overall well-being and leading a balanced life. We intentionally take time to nourish our mind, body, and soul to promote mental clarity and emotional resilience. Check out these self-care tips from the SARA team... 1. Anushey Ahmed, Justice Systems Advocate: Accountability is good, but if you act out when you feel unwell there’s space to be forgiving of yourself and responsible for what you did, and you don’t necessarily have to ..read more

Dear SARA Friends and Community, When you or a loved one needs support after an assault or resources for sexual violence prevention and education, where do you turn? If you’re like most in our community, you turn to SARA. Why? Because you know you will receive trauma-informed, compassionate care and dedicated advocacy. And you also know that regardless of your experience, your gender, your sexuality, your race, or your ability, you belong here. Who you are is accepted and celebrated. Your contributions make SARA the region’s most trusted leading partner in sexual violence prevention and advoca ..read more

Dear Friends of SARA, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and we are gearing up for events to mark the occasion. We are officially kicking off the month this Tuesday for the National SAAM Day of Action. In many ways, every day at SARA is a Day of Action for our advocates, therapists, preventionists, and support staff. The best thing about this month is that it gives us an opportunity to partner with you in raising awareness and taking action. Here are some ways you can get involved this month (and beyond!) April 4th SAAM Day of Action Ideas Wear teal, the color of sexual assault aw ..read more

We are excited to share that SARA completed VisitAble’s Advocate+ certification. Why VisitAble VisitAble is a disability inclusion firm that offers disability awareness and inclusion training + certification incentivization to help organizations serve and attract visitors, clients, and employees with disabilities. Achieving VisitAble’s “Advocate” certification sends a powerful message conveying dedication to being an inclusive organization and creating more equitable and inclusive experiences for people of all abilities. How It Went "The SARA staff members have been enthusiastic about improvi ..read more