FAQs
ESCADV primarily serves individuals and families from Accomack and Northampton Counties. ESCADV also serves clients from other locations, often in coordination with other domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
If you are interested in joining ESCADV's Board of Director's contact the Executive Director or any member of the current board. ESCADV's Board is an active with all members attending monthly board meetings as well as being active in committees, fundraising and events.
ESCADV receives funds from a variety of sources including the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Virginia Department of Social Services, Virginia Division of Housing and Community Development, United Way, Accomack County, Northampton County, and donations from businesses and individuals. While state and federal funds are often restricted and can only be spent on very specific costs, local donations allow ESCADV to provide additional services and resources to survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
ESCADVs accepts cash/check, in-kind services and donations of necessary items.
ESCADV clients often need kitchen and basic household items when they are transitioning to a new residence. Clean used furniture is also needed. Paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc) and cleaning products and supplies (brooms, buckets, mops) are also in high demand for shelter and transitioning clients.
ESCADV needs a mover (or someone with a pick up truck) to help move furniture donations. ESCADV also needs assistance with lawn care, landscaping, plumbing and basic maintenance. If you have a service to donate and it is not on this list please call. We may need your help!
Clothing donations are accepted at 12 Hartman Ave. Onancock, VA 23417. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you have a donation of large household furniture, please call (757) 787-1329 to arrange delivery.
Yes. ESCADV typically provides services to over 150 adults and children a year due to domestic violence. Since domestic violence often goes unreported, the number of individuals impacted by domestic violence on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is most likely much higher.
Anyone can experience domestic violence. Domestic violence occurs across all groups in society, regardless of age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, wealth or geography. Domestic violence happens to women, men, heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender individuals.
The effects of domestic violence are wide ranging and will differ for all victims. In some cases the impact of domestic violence is fatal.
i. The obvious physical effects of domestic violence can include, physical injury such as cuts, bruising, broken bones etc. Often overlooked is the emotional suffering which can occur as a direct result of domestic violence. The emotional impact can have devastating effects on a victim and children in the household which are prevalent in both the short and long term. Victims of domestic violence will experience a range of emotions, including fear, confusion, uncertainty, worry for their children, instability and anxiety all of which make it increasingly difficult to leave the relationship. Research has shown that domestic violence causes lasting damage to a victim's physical and mental health, affecting all areas of their lives, including work, relationships, social life, confidence and self-esteem. Recovering from the impact of domestic violence can be a lifelong process.
The decision to leave an abusive relationship is a very long and difficult process. If someone is experiencing domestic violence, they may:
i. Feel frightened and uncertain about what the future will hold
ii. Feel frightened for the children
iii. Feel it is in the children's best interests to stay in the family home
iv. Feel ashamed and reluctant to tell or seek help
v. Have such low confidence and self-esteem that making decisions is a confusing and difficult task
vi. Be isolated from family and friends and feel they have no one to turn to
vii. Be worried about financial security if they leave
viii. Not have information on services available
ix. Have received a negative response, when they reached out to someone for support in the past
x. Be too exhausted to take on any life changes or major decisions
xi. Still have feelings of love for their partner and fond memories of how things used to be
xii. Hope and believe that things will get better
Leaving an abusive relationship can also be a very dangerous time for the individual. ESCADV encourages individuals to reach out to the hotline (757) 787-1329 to develop a safety plan for when they decide to leave.
Yes. In fiscal year 2018, ESCADV received 16 hotline calls for reports of sexual assault. While this number may seem small, sexual assault and rape is also underreported. One victim is too many!
Many times the rapist is someone the victim knows - a date, friend, boyfriend, classmate or anyone else who is not a stranger. The vast majority of rape or sexual assault victims are assaulted by someone they know. The law does not make any distinctions between stranger rapes and date or acquaintance rape.
There are many reasons survivors choose not to report. Consider the ways reports of sexual assault are usually handled in the media, in communities, and in the criminal justice system. Survivors may feel that no one will believe them. In many cases, an individual may not recognize what they experienced as a crime. Survivors may also deny or minimize what happened to them as a coping mechanism. There are also substantial physical barriers to reporting. An individual may feel they do not have the time, money, knowledge, support system, or language capacity needed to access the reporting process.
ESCADV encourages all survivors of sexual assault and/or rape to call the 24/7 confidential hotline (757) 787-1329 to discuss their options. If the survivor chooses they may remain anonymous for the hotline call.
Yes, ESCADV serves all survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Services are provided to men, women and children.
ESCADV provides many services beyond emergency shelter, including supportive counseling, hospital accompaniment, crisis intervention, safety planning, case management, information and referrals, transportation assistance and financial assistance. An individual does not need to utilize ESCADV's emergency shelter to access other available services.
References are not part of the intake process for survivors of domestic and sexual assault. The intake process involves completing paperwork that includes basic information about the individual and any family members who will be in shelter with them, information on ESCADV's policies, exchange of information forms as necessary and completion of the coordinated housing assessment if shelter services/housing is necessary.
Yes, ESCADV's emergency shelter is pet friendly
