Our Mandate
The GW Action Committee on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence works to:
Our Guiding Principles
As developed for the Community Response Protocol for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, 2005.
SafetyOur Community Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will support the right of women and children to be free from harm or threat of harm and to be able to trust that justice, health and social interventions will respond if this safety is treatened or jeopardized. Safety will be the first priority and consideration in the provision of all of our services.
AccountabilityOur Community Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will ensure that all women and children receive the services they need in a timely, coordinated, and responsive manner.
Where abuse occurs, women and children have a right to expect that abusers will be held accountable for their actions through our justice and community service systems. Individuals who have committed acts of sexual assault and/or domestic violence will receive justice and community services in a timely, coordinated and responsive manner.
Choices And OptionsOur Community Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will uphold the right of women and children to be informed of their options and to make their own choice regarding the services we provide whenever possible. We will respect, support and encourage women in their right and need to make informed decisions.
Anti-Racism / Anti-Oppression AnalysisOur Community Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will ensure that all women and children regardless of race, culture, economic status, ability, gender, sexual orientation, age and other circumstances are treated with equity and with an understanding of the potential barriers these issues can have for women and children receiving services. We will achieve equity by providing services and interventions that take into account the differential impact that violence has on women and children who are also victims of oppression and racism. Through our understanding of these systemic and historical inequalities our services will become more inclusive and more accessible to all women and children in our community.
Prevention And Early InterventionOur Community Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will include education to increase public awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence in our community. We will implement early intervention strategies that prevent harm and/or the threat of harm for women and children. We will also provide an immediate response to sexual assault and domestic violence to reduce or prevent further harm.
AccessibilityOur Community Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will be equally available to all women and children requiring service regardless of barriers and we will collaborate to provide acceptable solutions for all women and children affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. We will work towards the elimination of barriers in accessing services for all women and children including language, ability to pay, age, personal conditions, geographic location or other characteristics.
Commitment and CollaborationOur Community Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will ensure that community partners commit to: working together to reduce barriers to services; identify gaps in services; and acquire and provide the necessary resources to meet the needs of women and children who have been affected by sexual assault and domestic violence.
Terms of Reference
For the full 2009 Terms of Reference for the Action Committee, click here.
