The Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response Team is now the
domestic violence action network
The Domestic Violence Action Network (DVAN) of Kent County is a collective of local partners, including nonprofits, governmental agencies, business leaders, survivors, and community members dedicated to improving our community’s response to domestic violence and leading systems-change to increase support for victims and survivors of intimate partner violence while also increasing accountability for those who commit abuse. DVAN operates using a collective impact model to advance community-driven strategies, identify system gaps, and foster cross-sector collaboration.
We Envision a Kent County where all individuals thrive in safety, free from intimate partner violence.
The Problem of Domestic Violence in Kent County
Domestic violence is a serious and growing problem in Kent County impacting individuals, families, and the community. Annually, law enforcement agencies in Kent County respond to more than 2,500 incidents of intimate partner domestic violence. Given that more than half of DV incidents are never reported to law enforcement, the actual number of DV incidents in the county is likely twice that number.
Significant concerns include recent increases in the number of DV-related homicides and the high rate of repeat offenses involving individuals with a history of domestic violence. Domestic Violence is a major public health crisis with wide-ranging effects on housing stability, mental health, and the welfare of children. DVAN exists to inspire a comprehensive community-wide response to this deadly violence.
Your Journey To Healing
A Guide For Survivors of Domestic Abuse
The Healing Path
The Healing Path is a resource guide meant to provide an overview of domestic violence behaviors, definitions, resources, etc. This educational guide also gives an overview of systems and services that many victims often navigate, such as the legal system, custody, Personal Protection Orders (PPOs), etc. This guide is available in English and Spanish.
The Domestic Violence Homicide Review
The Domestic Violence Homicide Review was completed by DVAN’s predecessor organization the Kent County DVCCRT following the tragic murder-suicide of a child in 2021. The review highlights the profound impact of domestic violence on public safety, specifically focusing on systemic actors involved in domestic violence cases. It serves as a practical resource for improving how system actors identify, understand, and respond to domestic violence while promoting increased accountability for perpetrators. The findings of the homicide review inform DVAN’s ongoing work to create stronger and safer systems in an effort to end domestic violence in Kent County.
We are comprised of
Community Partners
As a collective impact initiative, DVAN convenes stakeholders from across sectors to improve our community’s response to Domestic Violence. DVAN’s partners include nonprofits, governmental agencies, business leaders, survivors, and community members.
community resources
Available Community Resources
