NDDSVC’s role as the designated state sexual assault coalition includes a strategic focus on addressing sexual violence through prevention strategies and creating a culture of respect, consent, and nonviolence in North Dakota. In 2023, NDDSVC received funding and resources from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program Grant to complete a year-long, data-driven Coalition Capacity Assessment addressing areas of sexual violence primary prevention strengths and areas of potential strategic growth.
The Assessment process, led by NDDSVC RPE staff and our collaborative partner Wise Action Consulting, concentrated on and gathered information from key stakeholders on the Coalition’s role, context, and organizational capacities in five key health equity-focused sexual violence prevention areas:
The full report details the findings and considerations for each area, ultimately finding that NDDSVC does have the strengths to rise and become the statewide leader on sexual violence primary prevention that stakeholders’ desire and North Dakotans need.
As part of our ongoing review of the strengths and gaps in North Dakota’s response to domestic violence, NDDSVC collaborated with Global Rights for Women (GRW) in 2023-2024 to conduct a statewide Needs Assessment Annual Update project. This Annual Update identifies Native American women as a priority underserved and highly victimized community in our state. In-depth information gathered from Native survivors and program advocates highlights several ways NDDSVC and our member programs can better address Indigenous women’s unique needs and challenges and improve domestic violence response, including:
For the past year and a half, CAWS North Dakota has been working to rename and rebrand our organization, and I am proud to announce that as of October 16, 2024, we are now the North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC)! Alongside our rebrand, we’ve completely updated and redesigned our coalition website.
The transition to the NDDSVC name and brand is a significant step towards ensuring greater clarity, simplicity, and recognition for our coalition. With this change, we aim to spend less time explaining who we are and spend more time advocating for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence across North Dakota. Our new website is more engaging, user-friendly, and accessible, which will help us connect more people to vital information and resources.
I have great confidence that these changes will advance our efforts toward a future where everyone is safe and lives free from the fear of violence. And please know that while our name has changed, our dedication to ending domestic and sexual violence in North Dakota remains the same. NDDSVC has the same goals, values, services, and staff that CAWS North Dakota did, just with a fresh new look.
As we move forward as the North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition, we’ve been reflecting on the coalition’s forty-six year legacy of combating domestic and sexual violence. We honor this rich history and know that we would not be where we are today without the contributions of the grassroots organizations and pioneering women that came before us and formed our coalition.
As we transition from one name and brand to another, you may see some lingering materials that say CAWS North Dakota on them. We are hard at work converting all of our accounts, documents, stationary, online information, and materials from CAWS North Dakota to our new brand, but this will take time. We appreciate your patience with us in this transition stage!
We encourage you to share this message and tell your community about our new name and website so that they know where to find information and resources from us.
You can support our new brand by calling us the North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition or NDDSVC, checking out our new website, and following us on social media. To help us end domestic and sexual violence in North Dakota, consider making a donation.
Special thanks to our rebrand committee and our consultants at ThompsonStenning for being the creative and thoughtful minds behind our new look. As always, I am also grateful for the work and support of our team, board, members, and allied partners. This exciting new chapter would not have been possible without you!
Together, let’s continue to work toward a violence-free North Dakota.
With gratitude,
Seth O’Neill
Executive Director
BISMARCK, ND—The North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC) is shining a light on a common, yet overshadowed topic this October: domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time dedicated to remembering victims of domestic violence, celebrating survivors and bringing communities together to identify and eliminate domestic violence.
This fall, NDDSVC is spreading the message that “Every1KnowsSome1” to highlight how common domestic violence is. They say that 1 in 4 women will experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
According to NDDSVC’s annual statistics on domestic violence in North Dakota, in 2023 alone, 6,131 new victims of domestic violence were served by 19 advocacy centers across the state. At least 4,205 children were directly impacted by these domestic violence incidents, and 105 women were pregnant at the time they were assaulted.
NDDSVC encourages community members to support survivors, have informed conversations about domestic violence, challenge unhealthy and abusive behaviors and join anti-domestic violence advocates in the belief that all community members must be a part of the solution to end domestic violence.
“Our goal is to create a North Dakota where everyone is safe and lives free from the fear of violence,” said Seth O’Neill, NDDSVC Executive Director. “We are asking North Dakotans to join us in raising awareness around domestic violence by amplifying our messages, understanding the signs of domestic violence and highlighting the importance of supporting those affected by it.”
Those looking to learn more about domestic violence and ways to support survivors can find more information at www.nddsvc.org
If you or someone you know has experienced domestic or sexual violence, free and confidential help is available 24/7. Visit the North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC) website to view a directory of domestic and sexual violence victim advocacy centers and find support near you.
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The North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC) supports and serves as a unified voice for 19 domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) victim advocacy centers across North Dakota. From training and educational materials to public awareness and legislative policy change, NDDSVC works to provide North Dakota communities with the best tools and information to better support victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
BISMARCK, ND—In August, CAWS North Dakota awarded a total of $15,000 to 8 women through the organization’s Women’s Opportunity Scholarship.
The Women’s Opportunity Scholarship provides education opportunities to low-income women pursuing higher education in North Dakota. The scholarship aims to break the bonds of poverty and empower women to enhance their lives and the lives of their families intellectually, culturally and environmentally.
2024 scholarship recipients include:
“We are so pleased to once again be providing the Women’s Opportunity Scholarship to well deserving women in North Dakota,” said Dana Mees, Administrative Director at CAWS North Dakota.
“I am grateful for this scholarship because this has helped with costs such as my books. Scholarships like this make the school year a little less stressful for my family and I. Thank you so much,” said Nikki Blowers, 2024 Women’s Opportunity Scholarship recipient.
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CAWS North Dakota is North Dakota’s state domestic violence and sexual assault coalition. They support and present a unified voice for 19 victim advocacy centers across North Dakota. From training and educational materials to public awareness and legislative policy change, CAWS North Dakota works to provide communities with the best information in order to end domestic and sexual violence and prevent future violence from occurring.
BISMARCK, ND—In July 2023, CAWS North Dakota announced the reception of a $36,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation aimed at supporting survivors of domestic violence and providing economic empowerment opportunities.
Over the past year, CAWS North Dakota used funds from the Allstate Foundation grant to significantly impact the lives of 24 victims of domestic violence, providing them with access to purchases or services that would have otherwise been unattainable. This included critical assistance such as paying court fines and attorney fees, credit card debt payoff, purchasing laptops, uniforms, and shoes for work, purchasing a washer and dryer, paying for eye exams, vehicle insurance, vehicle repairs, and even vehicle purchases. Furthermore, the grant covered public transportation fees and helped three victims return home to their loved ones in other states.
Financial abuse is often cited by survivors of domestic violence as the main reason that they stayed with or returned to an abusive partner (National Network to End Domestic Violence). The funds provided by the Allstate Foundation grant allowed survivors some relief from financial abuse and economic challenges. The funds also provided financial assistance for survivors to pursue opportunities to advance their education or career, ultimately furthering their financial independence.
Feedback from advocates working closely with these survivors illustrates the profound impact of the financial support provided by the grant.
One advocate expressed, “I have worked with clients who felt they had to remain in their abusive relationship due to financial constraints. Providing access to funds that empower survivors and offer additional resources for achieving economic independence is truly life-changing. Assisting my clients in gaining independence and empowering them to strive for success has been a rewarding experience.”
Another advocate shared, “Many of the survivors I work with struggle to ask for help, feeling they are too far beyond help or they put themselves in this situation. When the availability of these funds is mentioned, I have been met with tears of gratitude. This funding has proven to them that, despite life’s circumstances, there are still good people out there. These funds are priceless and have literally been a life-saver for many of these clients that come through our doors!”
Lastly, another advocate remarked, “The grant provided a sense of hope and assistance to individuals in desperate need, particularly when they felt overwhelmed by their circumstances. Knowing there was help available gave them relief and reassurance that they were not alone in their journey to rebuild their lives.”
CAWS North Dakota received the Allstate Foundation grant due to the continued collaboration between the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and the Allstate Foundation.
“The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) has partnered with The Allstate Foundation for over 20 years, specifically addressing the intersection of domestic violence and economic justice. Their ground-breaking and long standing vision for ending intimate partner violence through supporting and expanding economic resources is one of a kind. Providing flexible, low-barrier financial support to organizations like CAWS North Dakota is having a profound impact on the lives and safety of survivors.” Stephanie Love-Patterson, NNEDV CEO & President, said. “Lack of adequate financial resources undermines a survivor’s ability to attain and maintain safety. This funding directly addresses the need and we are grateful for their continued support.”
Kayla Jones, the Domestic Violence Program Coordinator at CAWS North Dakota, further emphasized that the flexibility of the Allstate Foundation funds was particularly helpful in tailoring support based on survivors’ needs. “Flexible funding is essential when working with survivors of domestic violence,” she said. “Often, when working with federal funds, our ability to assist survivors is limited, preventing us from providing the most impactful support.”
CAWS North Dakota will receive grant funding from the Allstate Foundation for another year. The funds will be distributed to victims of domestic violence through the coalition’s member organizations based on an application process.
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CAWS North Dakota is North Dakota’s state domestic violence and sexual assault coalition. They support and present a unified voice for 19 victim advocacy centers across North Dakota. From training and educational materials, to public awareness and legislative policy change, CAWS North Dakota works to provide communities with the best information in order to end domestic and sexual violence and prevent future violence from occurring.
Donate Now
Thousands of North Dakotans experience domestic and sexual violence each year. But together, we can change that. By giving to NDDSVC, you’re helping us prevent future violence and providing life-saving resources to North Dakota communities.
Find Help
If you are in an unsafe or abusive situation, there are 18 domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) victim advocacy centers across North Dakota that can help you navigate your options and stay safe. Each center is staffed with professionals who can help you with safety planning, finding shelter, obtaining a protection order, and more.
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NDDSVC does not provide direct services to victims and survivors.
Contact a DV/SA advocacy center near you if you are looking for support. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
