- Home
- Departments & Offices
- Health & Human Services
- Needs & Assistance
- Crisis Services & Hotlines
- Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
To get help:
- Call or text 9-1-1 if anyone is in immediate danger.
- Call Loudoun County’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault hotline 24 hours a day, every day: 703-777-6552.
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224.
If you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522. - Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) at 800.656.HOPE (4673).
Survivors can call RAINN or chat on the website. It’s free and confidential.
LAWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
LAWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services provides free, confidential services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in Loudoun County. Programs and services include:
- Emergency Shelter
- 24-hour hotline: 703-777-6552
- Domestic violence services
- Sexual assault services
- Youth and children's services
- Legal services: 703-771-3397
- Loudoun Child Advocacy Center
- Violence prevention and outreach
- Resourceful Woman Thrift Store
The main office for LAWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services is located at 105 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.
Other Resources
- Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) - Learn how to make a safety plan and help others that may be in danger.
- Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office - Domestic Violence Services - Find additional resources and protective services.
- Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls - A nonprofit organization that promotes leadership development and fosters an inclusive community for Loudoun's women and girls through education, collaboration, and empowerment.
- Women Giving Back - A nonprofit organization helping women and children in crisis by distributing clothing at no cost.
Additional Loudoun County Resources
- Adult Protective Services - How to report adult abuse, neglect or exploitation in Loudoun County.
- Child Protective Services - How to report child abuse and neglect in Loudoun County.
- Protective Orders - Details and guidance on obtaining a protective order against someone who is harming you.
- Victim Witness Program - Support and advocacy for victims and witnesses of crimes.
- Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) - Resources for victims of sexual violence.
Domestic violence is generally a coercive behavior that includes physical, sexual, economic, emotional, or psychological abuse of one family member or romantic partner by another. In most states, domestic violence includes assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or murder of one household member by another household member.
Domestic violence generally occurs when a spouse or intimate partner uses physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, harassment, or stalking to control the behavior of his or her partner. Partners involved in domestic violence and abuse may be married, heterosexual, homosexual, living together, separated, or dating.
Physical violence can include:
- Forcing a person to stay somewhere
- Grabbing
- Shoving
- Touching a person against his or her will
Emotional abuse includes:
- Insults
- Intimidation
- Keeping a partner from contacting family or friends
- Name-calling
- Stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
- Threatening physical harm
- Withholding money
Domestic violence can include physical violence causing injuries, a possibility of injury, threats, and protection order violations.
The links below will take you to a Power and Control Wheel diagram (in English and Spanish) that can serve as a domestic violence screening tool:
Who Can Be Arrested for Domestic Violence
The police may arrest any person (adult or juvenile) for domestic violence if they have probable cause to believe he or she committed a crime. People from all walks of life, including both men and women, are arrested for domestic violence. Domestic violence occurs in cities, suburbs and rural areas and among all social classes, races, religions, incomes and family backgrounds. If you are accused of domestic violence, it is crucial that you seek the services of an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible.
Effects of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence creates havoc in a victim's and in an accused abuser's family and working lives. The effects of domestic violence are far reaching, including detrimental effects on children.
Domestic violence causes:
- Anxiety
- Emotional pain
- Fear
- Financial burdens due to missed work, medical bills and psychological treatment
- Misery
- Physical pain
- Shame