A non-profit specializing in supportive services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence
04/29/2026
đź’™ Our hearts are full today.
We are deeply grateful to the Daughters of the American Revolution and Marzee Woodward for preparing 31 thoughtful gift bags for our shelter residents.
These small acts of kindness carry so much meaning — they remind our residents that they are seen, valued, and supported by their community. Moments like this help restore hope, dignity, and connection for those who need it most.
Thank you for showing such genuine care and compassion. Your generosity makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve. 💙✨
04/28/2026
At DVSA, we stand with every survivor. Your voice matters, your story matters, and you matter. Surviving is an act of courage, speaking up is an act of strength, and healing is an act of reclaiming your power. Your resilience continues to push our community toward compassion, accountability, and meaningful change.
We know healing isn’t linear, and there is no single “right” way to move forward. What matters is that you deserve safety, care, respect, and a future filled with peace. You are never defined by what happened to you—you are defined by your strength and your capacity to heal.
We see you. We believe you. We support you. You are not alone, and our doors are always open.
04/25/2026
Thank you to our incredible volunteers đź’ś
We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended our sexual assault advocacy training yesterday. By choosing to learn trauma‑informed, survivor‑centered support, you are helping create safer spaces where survivors are believed, respected, and supported.
Your commitment strengthens our ability to:
• Respond with compassion during crisis
• Walk alongside survivors through difficult moments
• Reduce isolation and stigma
• Build a community rooted in dignity and care
Your time, dedication, and willingness to show up truly make a difference. Thank you for being part of this work.
04/20/2026
Supporting a sexual assault survivor after disclosure can be simple—and powerful.
âś… Believe them
âś… Thank them for trusting you
✅ Say “It wasn’t your fault”
âś… Listen without judgment
âś… Let them choose what happens next
âś… Keep their story confidential
You don’t need perfect words. Your belief and presence matter. 💙
If you ever need support: Sexual Assault Crisis Line - 615-494-9262 or www.dvsacenter.org
04/17/2026
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer a survivor of sexual assault is simple kindness.
No fixing. No questioning. No pushing. Just presence.
If someone trusts you enough to share their story, honor that courage.
Believe them.
Listen without judgment.
Let them move at their own pace.
Remind them they’re not alone, and that what happened was not their fault.
Healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. But compassion — steady, patient, unconditional compassion — can make the path a little less heavy.
To every survivor: your strength is real, even on the days you don’t feel it. You deserve safety, support, and a community that stands with you.
04/16/2026
đź’™ Child Abuse Awareness Day Ceremony 2026 đź’™
Today, our community came together with compassion, purpose, and a shared commitment to protecting our children. This ceremony wasn’t just a moment—it was a promise. A promise to stand up, speak out, and support every child who deserves safety, dignity, and hope.
Our agency wants to extend deep gratitude to the partners who work tirelessly, often without recognition, to protect and uplift children in crisis:
✨ DCS — for your unwavering dedication to safeguarding children and supporting families through their hardest moments.
✨ Child Advocacy Center — for providing a safe, child‑centered space where healing can begin.
✨ Isaiah 117 House — for offering comfort, stability, and love when children need it most.
✨ Our Law Enforcement Agencies — for your vigilance, compassion, and commitment to seeking justice and ensuring the safety of every child in our community.
Your work is not easy, but it is life‑changing. You are the shield, the voice, and the hope for children who cannot always speak for themselves.
As we honor Child Abuse Awareness Day, let’s continue to stand united—raising awareness, supporting these vital organizations, and building a community where every child is safe, seen, and supported. 💙
04/13/2026
So good!
Sexual Assault Awareness Month can bring waves of emotion and memory. Take what you need.
04/08/2026
💜 Show Your Till – April 30th
Our community is strongest when we show up for one another. On April 30th, we’re inviting you to join us for our Show Your Till event—a day dedicated to raising awareness, supporting survivors, and standing together for change.
Your participation helps:
Amplify the voices of survivors
Strengthen prevention and advocacy efforts
Fund programs that provide safety, healing, and hope
Show our community that we believe in creating a future free from harm
Every share, every donation, every conversation makes a difference. When we come together, we create real impact.
Let’s show our support, show our commitment, and Show Your Till.
04/08/2026
✨ Today, we wear teal with purpose ✨
Teal is more than a color.
It’s a promise to listen, to believe, and to stand with survivors.
It’s a reminder that healing is possible, that courage comes in many forms, and that every voice deserves safety and respect.
When we wear teal, we’re saying:
You matter. Your story matters. Your strength inspires change.
Let’s keep building a world where compassion is the norm, conversations lead to awareness, and communities rise together to prevent sexual violence.
One color. One day. A powerful movement. đź’™
04/07/2026
🌿 Join Us for Sexual Assault Advocacy Training – April 24th
Every survivor deserves to be heard, supported, and believed. On April 24th, we’re hosting a Sexual Assault Advocacy Training designed to strengthen our community’s ability to respond with compassion, knowledge, and confidence.
đź’› Why it matters:
Believing survivors is one of the most impactful ways we can support healing. When someone shares their story, they’re taking a courageous step. Our response can shape their path forward.
đź“… April 24th
đź•’ 9 am to 4 pm
RVSP to volunteer@dvsacenter.org
This training will cover:
Understanding trauma‑informed support
How to respond when someone discloses harm
Advocacy tools that empower survivors
Building a culture of safety and respect
Let’s work together to create a community where survivors feel seen, supported, and believed.
04/05/2026
It’s that quiet kind of magic that shows up when someone chooses kindness simply because they can. Today, it arrived in the form of Easter gifts and a generous heart — a reminder that healing isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we create for one another.
In our Bernard House, with those kids, you can almost feel the air shift. Joy becomes possible. Safety feels real. And survivors get to see, in a tangible way, that they are part of a community that lifts each other up.
Kate’s gesture didn’t just brighten a holiday. It affirmed something deeper: that resilience grows stronger when shared, and that even after everything, there is still room for wonder, generosity, and hope.
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center:
The Domestic Violence Center of Rutherford County was started in 1986. Deborah Johnson was the program founder and served as the Executive Director for 30 years until 2016. The program started with a tiny, one room office, with a desk and a phone, two salaries, and limited services funded by VOCA. In 1988, two safe houses and counseling services were added.
After 15 years of hard advocacy work, in 2003 the program was able to build a confidential, emergency, safe shelter – deemed the Bernard House. In 2007 Domestic Violence Program merged with Sexual Assault Services, becoming a duel program that provided hospital accompaniment, counseling, and legal services to victims of sexual assault and stalking, in addition to domestic violence.
The organization continues to grow and mold to fit the needs of its growing and changing community, to better assist the women, men, and children who find themselves in the crisis and critical situation of domestic and sexual violence.
MISSION
At Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center our mission is simple: to PROTECT victims, PREVENT violence, and EMPOWER survivors.
We accomplish this by providing citizens of Rutherford County with the resources and assistance necessary to effectively deal with the personal, social, and legal implications of victimization by domestic violence and sexual assault.
STRATEGIC GOALS
CLIENT OUTCOMES: Deliver quality crisis services to ensure the safety of our clients and to help them achieve improved social emotional wellbeing.
EDUCATION & AWARENESS: Educate the community about the incidence and causes of domestic violence and sexual assault, and increase awareness of the critical importance of the services we provide.
SUSTAINABILITY: Increase and diversify financial support to sustain our mission.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: Continue to build relationships with public and private organizations to achieve greater impact.
ORGANIZATION CAPACITY: Develop and strengthen the organization’s capacity to fulfill our mission goals.
