AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP)

The AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP) is a program of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. The Coalition creates safe and just communities through advocacy, prevention and empowerment of anyone affected by sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking.

This mission is accomplished by the Coalition, which includes 14 independent community-based member programs, a Board of Directors and a central staff working together to:

Influence public policy on the local, state and national levels;
Ensure that quality services are provided to victims;
Promote the accountability of societal systems and communities for their responses to sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking;
Prevent violence and abuse before they occur. Read More

• About Us
  The AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP) is a multi-agency collaboration designed to address critical service needs in New Hampshire communities and justice systems by ensuring services are available to victims of domestic, sexual, and stalking violence and to promote and cultivate a culture of service.
  
  Members of the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program are placed throughout New Hampshire at crisis centers, police departments and prosecutor offices to offer direct support services and information to victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking. As financial abuse tactics are common in instances of domestic violence, members integrate economic empowerment into their advocacy by providing financial literacy services.
• Our Impact
  Members placed with crisis centers as advocates assist survivors in numerous ways. Advocates answer crisis line calls and work one on one to support victims. They help victims obtain restraining orders, access shelter, support children who have witnessed abuse, facilitate support groups, support sexual assault victims at hospitals and provide referrals for local services. Members may also assist with community trainings and provide outreach and education to schools. They become knowledgeable in local support networks so that they can refer survivors to appropriate services. Members facilitate support groups and provide economic empowerment service with one on one and workshop financial literacy sessions.
  
  Members placed with criminal justice systems serve as liaisons between the survivors and those agencies. Members assist by informing survivors of upcoming trial dates, plea discussions, restitution issues, and the availability of community resources. Members refer survivors to victims compensation when appropriate and connect victims to economic empowerment resources and referrals.