Project DVORA works with survivors of domestic violence, specifically intimate partner violence. We help survivors who are currently involved in an abusive relationship, actively exiting an abusive relationship, or still experiencing abuse from a previous relationship (for example, co-parenting with an ex-partner). Survivors can click the “Get Help” button below to reach out to us. If it is safer for you to call an advocate, you can leave a voicemail anytime at (206) 861-3159. We do our best to reply to voicemails and online submissions within 48-72 hours (during business days), but due to the high volume of callers, we are not always able to reply to every voicemail. Our DV advocates are available for live phone calls on Tuesdays 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and Wednesdays from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
If you need to speak to an advocate immediately, you can call the 24/7 DV Hopeline, servicing King County, at (206) 737-0242 or use the live chat feature on the DV Hopeline website.
Our program also strives to guide and empower the community in responding to domestic violence. We offer prevention programs and trainings to local schools, rabbis, and other community leaders. If you are interested in a prevention program tailored to your setting, please click the Get Help button below to get connected with our staff.
Meet Rebecca Mather, Project DVORA Outreach and Prevention Coordinator
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior that one person in a relationship uses to gain power and control over the other. Abuse is not caused by anger, mental health problems, alcohol or other drugs, or other common excuses. It is caused by one person’s belief that they have the right to control their partner. Learn more about power and control at the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s web site.
Most people assume that domestic violence is only physical abuse, but domestic violence can include financial abuse, social isolation, manipulation, emotional abuse or other forms of control. Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s web site for more help in identifying abuse.
Domestic violence advocacy is a form of support based on what you need to feel safe and stable. A domestic violence advocate can help you navigate the challenges of being in a current or past abusive relationship.
Advocacy comes in many forms: It might include identifying strategies to increase your safety. Or it might involve support in navigating systems. For example, your advocate can help you apply for unemployment or Social Security income. Advocacy might include housing support, whether that’s assistance in applying to subsidized housing or help with finding an affordable apartment (JFS does not have our own shelters or transitional living programs).
Your advocate will support you based on what you identify as your next steps towards safety and stability. For more information, please see FAQ for Survivors below.
Support groups are facilitated by advocates. They provide a space where you can learn more about domestic violence, learn coping strategies for trauma, and connect with others who may have had similar experiences.
We offer a virtual support group bi-annually where attendees can learn more about narcissistic abuse and connect in a confidential space with other survivors of intimate partner abuse. During this 1-hour session, survivors learn about the red flags of narcissistic behaviors and manipulation tactics as well as strategies on how to detach and heal from these abusive relationships.
In this session, survivors examine excerpts from the book, “Becoming the Narcissist’s Nightmare: How to Devalue and Discard the Narcissist While Supplying Yourself” written by Shahida Arabi.
If you are a survivor of intimate partner violence and are interested in attending a future support group, please click the Get Help button below and mark interest in support group.
Our advocates can help you navigate the legal system. Some examples of what we can help with include:
If you are interested in working with an advocate, please click the Get Help button below. Our intake coordinator will complete an assessment with you to ensure that we are available to offer services that are helpful to you. If we are unable to offer you support, we will do our best to connect you with other community resources.
Our Outreach & Prevention Coordinator can help Jewish community organizations with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) education, intervention, and prevention. Some examples of what we can help with:
See more about teen prevention and healthy relationship resources.
For questions or scheduling, reach out to dvoraprevention@jfsseattle.org.
If you know someone who you think may be experiencing domestic violence, here are some helpful tips in offering them support:
Does my partner…
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Project DVORA is here to help.
Jewish Leaders for a Safer Future:
Addressing Intimate Partner Violence
November 13 at 12:00 pm
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