How a local nonprofit empowers crime survivors

Photo open to the NVRDC website. Photo by Madi Koesler

Content warning: This article includes content involving domestic abuse and violence.

After a crime occurs, after the survivor decides whether to seek justice through the police system or medical treatment in a hospital, they often still need to recover from the experience. Survivors can do that through the Network for Victim Recovery of D.C. (NVRDC), a resource for crime victims seeking justice in all forms.

NVRDC serves the people of D.C. by providing 100% free resources and services to clients who have survived a crime. The nonprofit provides trauma-informed advocacy, legal, and therapeutic services to all crime victims in D.C., from survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking to those affected by hate crimes, gun violence, theft, and homicide. The organization also aids in Title IX cases by providing representation for D.C. students who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence/dating violence and/or stalking. 

People in need of the nonprofit’s services can call for intake Monday through Friday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at 202-742-1727 or submit their information through an online form on the nonprofit’s website. The number is not a hotline, and if someone needs immediate help, it’s recommended to call the D.C. Victim Hotline at 844-443-5732.

Street Sense had the chance to sit down with Benny Del Castillo, the engagement manager at NVRDC, to learn more about the organization and the impact that they have on the District. Del Castillo is a proud proponent of NVRDC’s ethos of survivor-defined justice, meaning only survivors know what they need and how they want to define justice for themselves. She talked about the barriers domestic violence and sexual assault victims face, the correlation between domestic violence and experiencing homelessness, and what survivor-defined justice truly means in the advocacy space.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

SB: How have you, through your work at NVRDC, seen domestic violence impact housing stability in the DMV?

BDC: Unfortunately, we know that it is a huge factor. In 2023, 55% of families experiencing homelessness in D.C. and 24% of unhoused single adults reported a history of domestic violence, according to the D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence. When we work with survivors of domestic violence or interpersonal violence, folks typically tell us their main concerns are around a lack of financial resources and a lack of safe and affordable housing. These are very real barriers for survivors and can play a huge role in whether someone decides it is safer to stay in their relationship or not. In 2022, a one-day census of survivors showed that 78% of D.C. survivors’ unmet requests were for requests for housing. We see it play out in different ways that lead to housing instability and touch upon other areas of their lives. 

For example, poor credit or rental histories – folks who abuse often take out credit cards in the survivor’s name and don’t pay their balance off, or promise to make rental payments and don’t, putting the survivor’s financial health in critical condition.

Another example is employment – some survivors are prevented from working by abusers and may not have their own money or access to childcare. Some survivors may be forced to miss work due to violence or may even be fired due to stalking or harassment in the workplace. Lastly, housing discrimination – providers also see that landlords may try to evict survivors due to repeated calls to 911 or noise complaints. This can also come from property damage connected to the violence. 

What do you think the city can do better to support survivors experiencing homelessness or housing instability? 

Getting to the true cause of violence is central. It is not more policing that ends violence. It is addressing systems of oppression. It is addressing trauma. Building trauma-informed communities, community support, safe spaces, etc. We also work to uplift the true root causes of violence — such as inequality and systems of oppression. In addition to direct services, we aim to have a cultural shift by providing education and outreach to the community — we know everyone has a role in ending all forms of violence and that it is 100% possible.

How many people is NVRDC able to assist with their personal needs to ensure their safety?

We have now served over 11,000 survivors since 2012 which has been an incredible privilege for us! We had over 1,100 new clients in this past fiscal year. Additionally, in the past fiscal year, NVRDC has assisted in 200 new civil protection cases, responded to 291 hospital and community in-person needs, taken on 232 new crime victims’ rights cases, and provided $79,723 in flex funds to clients with urgent needs. This type of funding covers money for groceries, transportation, clothing, and diapers, for example. We don’t have endless capacity but we always try to connect to appropriate resources no matter what. 

What are the biggest boundaries for those in need of help who are experiencing violence or assault? Is housing one of those barriers?

There are a variety of barriers. Some folks may not want to share what happened due to stigma and shame. This is why working toward trauma-informed communities is crucial and why educating folks on domestic violence and sexual assault is critical so we can eliminate victim blaming. Some folks do not have their basic needs met, which is critical for any other action to take place. If folks don’t have shelter or access to food — how can we expect them to begin processing trauma or their experiences?

Housing is definitely a barrier — survivors feel like they can’t leave because they have nowhere to go physically. Folks who have marginalized identities may also experience further barriers. For example, transphobia, xenophobia, poverty, racism, classism, ageism, etc. all make it that much harder for survivors to access support. And these are just a few examples of all of the systems of oppression at play. That is why we believe all systems are connected. If we want to end domestic violence or sexual violence, we need to work to end poverty, homelessness, racism, etc. It is all connected.

Will you speak a bit about the Title IX representation that you all provide at NVRDC?

We are actually one of maybe five organizations in the country that provide direct representation in Title IX cases. Title IX essentially says that no student should be discriminated against on the basis of sex at any school that receives funding from the federal government. Most people think of sports here — which is true! We often work with D.C. students, high school and college, who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence/dating violence and/or stalking. NVRDC can provide information about on-campus resources and accommodations, tips for filing a student conduct complaint or a complaint against the school, and advice about the pros and cons of proceeding with Title IX action. We can also represent people who are requesting reasonable accommodations, filing Title IX complaints, or going through a student conduct process. 

Will you speak more to the Victim Legal Network of D.C. (VLNDC)?

Absolutely! VLNDC is such an amazing project! It came to fruition after seeing crime survivors seeking resources and legal support being told that they couldn’t be helped. They’d be given a phone number for another organization to call for support, would inquire, and be given the same answer, thus creating a cycle that left survivors without support or a place to turn. This is incredibly frustrating, especially when we think about folks who have just experienced harm and may have additional barriers preventing them from seeking resources such as proximity to their abuser, language barriers, and many more. Thus, VLNDC was born!

If folks experience a crime and they need legal assistance due to that crime, they can call. This can be any form of legal assistance (for example, housing, immigration, custody, civil protection orders, divorce, fraud, etc.). They speak to one person and tell them what happened, what they need. And then that staff person sends this referral out to our network, currently 27 organizations, to see who can best take the case on. 

Through VLNDC, survivors are not forced to repeat their story and, whenever possible, are communicating with only one person. This person will take care of figuring out which organizations have the bandwidth to help, and which organizations are not able to, taking the burden off of survivors. Additionally, VLNDC has Spanish-speaking staff to reach more survivors. Those in need can call: 202-629-1788.

Survivor-defined justice is a concept that makes NVRDC stand out – how do you define this term and how have you seen it be a successful perspective to bring?

We take the concept of survivor-defined justice very seriously. We define survivor-defined justice as there being no “wrong” or “right” way to react, cope, or feel after harm. When folks go through a trauma, they experience something they have no control over. In the experiences that follow, as survivors may or may not seek out support, it is crucial for people to believe them and support whatever the survivor chooses to do or not do in the wake of a crime.

At NVRDC, no one is judging them for how they feel or don’t feel. Often people have their own opinions of what people should or shouldn’t do after they experience harm, which often causes further harm. I have worked with many survivors and how each defines justice has looked completely different. I have worked with folks who tell me all they want is a safe place to sleep. I had a survivor tell me that they wanted to get medication after a sexual assault and then she wanted to leave and forget what happened. We have also had survivors engage in our Restorative Justice Program as they don’t want to engage in the criminal legal system. Options are crucial and truly believing that people are the experts of their own lives makes the difference!


Issues |Civil Rights|Domestic Violence|Living Unsheltered|Sexual Assault

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