The primary mission of the DC Anti-Violence Project (DCAVP) is to work to reduce violence against LGBTQ+ individuals (and those perceived as LGBTQ+) through counseling, community outreach, education, and monitoring cases to ensure that the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ victims are respected and protected. DCAVP also seeks to assist victims of anti-LGBTQ+ violence by advocating on their behalf, encouraging reporting, and providing a community of support.
The DCAVP works in active partnership with other trauma-informed survivor advocacy agencies in DC, including the LGBT Special Unit of the MPD and the US Office of the Attorney General as well as concerned community members, as seen among the video panelists above, and LGBTQ+ survivors of violence and trauma, to strengthen the comprehensive response to homo/transphobic violence and trauma in the DMV area.
* DCAVP services are made possible under Grant #2023-MDCC-01, awarded by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants, Executive Office of the Mayor, District of Columbia. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in these services are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Executive Office of the Mayor.
Monthly Meetings
The DCAVP meets monthly via Zoom on the 4th Thursdays, 7pm (except in Nov and Dec, when we meet one week earlier due to holidays). If you are interested in attending, please email us at counseling@thedccenter.org or supportdesk@thedccenter.org for more information.
Counseling — individual and group services
DC Anti-Violence Project Google Group
Donate to DC Anti-Violence Project
Who are we?
- The DC Anti-Violence Project is a grassroots, volunteer-led organization dedicated to the eradication of violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
- We are committed to acting locally and centering the voices, visions, and priorities of those most impacted and at-risk for violence in our work.
- Recognizing that violence is physical, institutional, cultural, and systemic – and that oppression is a form of violence – DCAVP seeks to comprehensively address all forms of violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
- We want to build a world free from violence against our community and beyond, engaging creatively with solutions through advocacy, community organizing, and survivor support.
- Violence occurs against our community in DC every day. As a community-led organization, we seek to build connections within our local ecosystem, working collaboratively for local change and transformative justice.
- We recognize that justice looks different for everyone. In cases of interpersonal harm, we value and respect what justice means to survivors – whether or not that involves law enforcement and the criminal legal system. At the community level we seek to shift away from criminalization towards community accountability, primary prevention, and restorative justice.
- Some specific issues we have activated against with events, impact statements, media presence and policy advocacy are Violence Against Trans Women, Sex Work Decriminalization, Street Harassment, Hate Crimes, Black Lives Matter, Rape Culture, Self Defense.
- Anyone is welcome to join the DCAVP and bring your ideas and energy for activist activities.