WHAT WE DO
Since 1987, the WCADVSA has served as the leading voice on sexual and domestic violence in Wyoming. The WCADVSA’s professional staff brings a range of backgrounds and experiences to the Coalition. Many staff have prior experiences providing direct services, developing primary prevention initiatives, representing victims, training medical and criminal justice professionals, developing curricula, and influencing public policy. All these experiences add depth to the expert advice provided to the many advocates and professionals who call the WCADVSA for assistance with complex issues.
Every state, the District of Columbia, and five of the U.S. territories have a coalition similar to ours. “Coalitions have played a unique role in our nation’s response to domestic violence (and sexual assault.) Our history is rooted in the battered women’s movement and the values that define this movement, including working toward social justice, self-determination, and ending the oppression of women. These core values have informed the principles, structures and functions of all the state and territory coalitions.”[1]
The work of the WCADVSA centers around social justice and grassroots efforts, the analysis of the oppression of women and other disenfranchised groups, the values of peer support and policy change, and in expanding leadership roles. We focus on system change and reform, we engage in anti-oppression work, and we work to improve laws at the state and national levels.
At the beginning and end of every day, we are accountable to the domestic violence and sexual assault programs in Wyoming and the victims they serve.
[1] Essential Criteria; Defining State Domestic Violence Coalition. NNEDV 2007
OUR WORK
The goal of our work is to amplify the voices of survivors. No matter what the topic, our efforts support:
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What survivors need to overcome abuse,
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What systems (e.g. police, legal, medical, etc.) need to support survivors, and
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What communities need to move beyond simply raising awareness to ending violence before it occurs.
The WCADVSA provides "advocacy support" — quite simply, the training, technical assistance, and other resources that support the work of our member programs and partners in ending violence.
Contact us to learn more about our resources and services.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Organizational and Leadership Development
Training and Technical Assistance
Legal Program
In coordination with the University of Wyoming Law School, the WCADVSA provides holistic civil legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Since 1998, we have served over 4,500 clients who could otherwise not afford legal services. In addition, the WCADVSA Staff Attorneys work to increase victims’ access to legal services and justice in Wyoming.
Economic Justice
We envision a world where women and girls have access to money, housing, childcare, and education and can make decisions about their relationships without regard for the financial impact of those decisions. The WCADVSA utilizes the Allstate Foundation and the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Moving Ahead Through Financial Management curriculum to promote economic justice in Wyoming.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking may require specialized services to support their ability to obtain and maintain safe housing. The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault can provide housing stability services for ERAP eligible survivors.
AmeriCorps
Leading Voice
As the leading voice to end domestic violence and sexual assault in Wyoming, WCADVSA the staff are active members and contribute to a number of state and national level initiatives and councils.
We are currently represented on: the Governor’s Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues, the Governor’s State Early Childhood Advisory Council, the Child Death Review and Prevention Team, the Department of Family Services Homeless Collaborative, and in coordination with the Department of Health, we facilitate the Wyoming Sexual Violence Prevention Council. In addition, WCADVSA staff members are represented on a number of state level boards and national task force groups to improve our capacity as a state and nation to end violence.
Organizational and Leadership Development
We assist domestic violence and sexual assault programs with the business of running their organizations. We promote visionary leadership, trauma informed practices, management excellence, practical skills, and mentoring of the next generation of skilled leaders.
P.E.A.C.E Awards
The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (WCADVSA) will present the P.E.A.C.E. Award annually in recognition of those who demonstrate excellence and initiative to serve and advance the rights of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As peace is the antithesis of violence, the award stands for “Promoting Excellence in Advocacy for Change and Empowerment.” The award acknowledges the valuable role individuals and organizations play in the effort to end violence and empower victims in Wyoming. The P.E.A.C.E. Award also serves as a challenge for all to work collectively to improve life for those affected by violence in our communities and worldwide.
Primary Prevention
The WCADVSA has grown our primary prevention work from a piece of one staff person’s position to two full time positions dedicated to addressing the root causes of violence and preventing violence before it occurs. Since 2009 we have worked intensively with communities across Wyoming to increase their capacity to prevent violence.
Public Policy
Our work focuses on advocating for legislation in the Wyoming State Legislature and Congress, educating our membership about the policy process, and assisting them in communicating with their elected officials. We also provide input on court rules and state agency policies related to domestic violence and sexual assault matters, as well as participate on committees and work groups that address a variety of social justice issues.
Silent Witness Initiative
The Silent Witness Initiative honors the lives of those who have been murdered as a result of domestic violence through family support, community connections, and advocacy for change.
Since 1985, an estimated seventy-two Wyoming women, seven men, four boys and one girl have been murdered as a result of domestic violence. In 1994 alone, eight women died at the hands of a husband, ex-husband, or acquaintance. Three additional children and seven males, including brothers, were also killed during these same domestic violence incidents.
Because all of us have a responsibility to act to end these senseless deaths, Wyoming joined other states in a national initiative committed to raising the level of awareness about domestic violence.
Each one has a story. Join our efforts to end this tragedy.
Because we need to remember their stories.
We need to remember their names.
Training and Technical Assistance
We conduct training across the state, co-host annual conferences, provide webinars, and we customize training for organizations and conferences. In addition, we provide specialized technical assistance for our member programs.
Check out our Training and Events page for upcoming training opportunities.
Transitional Housing
The WCADVSA provides financial resources to the domestic violence and sexual assault programs in Wyoming for survivor’s transitional housing needs. Since 2005, we have distributed over $600,000 to secure housing for victims and their children.
Contract Trish Worley for more information.
