Purple Ribbon, Trainings, and more, oh my!

Hello,

Hope everyone had a peaceful summer! It was certainly a busy one here at the Coalition, and there is more work to be done as we enter autumn!

DCADV provided training for Domestic Violence Advocates and Community Partners. We held our DV101 in June. This two-day training was originally scheduled for February, but because of snow days, we moved it to June. This training provides comprehensive information about domestic violence, including available resources, for advocates, therapists, and system partners. Our next DV101 is scheduled for November 17th & 18th.

Other summer trainings included presentations on Domestic Violence and the Impact on Mental Health, Financial Security for DV Advocates, and Coercive Control and the impact of this abuse on legal proceedings. On September 30th, DCADV is hosting a training presented by Family Court staff and DV Advocates on Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders.

DCADV’s Purple Ribbon Event (PRE) is on Thursday, October 8th! We hope you can join that evening for dinner, networking, and celebration of amazing community advocates! Please see the information later in the newsletter about tickets, raffle tickets, and sponsorship. If you are unable to join us that evening, you can still provide support by purchasing a raffle ticket for one of the many prizes, making a donation, or, better still, becoming an event sponsor!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Congress first passed a law designating October as DV Awareness Month in 1989 to raise awareness and to encourage a national response to this pervasive crime. October and every month are opportunities to share information that helps DV survivors know that they are not alone and that help is available! If you know someone who needs support and services, please encourage them to reach out for help. DCADV’s website, www.dcadv.org, is a clearinghouse of information, including DV hotline numbers.

All of us play an important part in addressing domestic violence by raising awareness and sharing resources. Thank you for your support and commitment to end and to prevent domestic violence!

Peace,

Sue Ryan, Executive Director

We are getting closer to Purple Ribbon 2026! You still have time to get your tickets. If you're interested, take a look at the auction items and buy your tickets in advance. The auction winners will be announced at the Purple Ribbon Event, and you do not need to be present to win; we will contact you afterward.

➡️➡️➡️NEW: This year we have four high-value items on the auction page. They are listed separately from the regular auction items with separate pricing, so be sure to take a look!

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Jen Uro at 302-658-2958 ext. 117 or juro@dcadv.org.

It's such a great night, and we'd love for you to join us!

DV201: After the Protection Order: What Happens Next?

A protection order is an important step in protecting survivors—but it is not the end of the process. What happens after an order is issued can be critical to survivor safety, accountability, and effective enforcement. This training will provide advocates and attorneys with a practical, process-focused look at what happens after a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is granted. Presenters will walk through service and enforcement of PFA orders, including what provisions may be included, recent changes to PFA rules, and what litigants and advocates should understand once an order is issued. The training will also address weapons relinquishment, probation when an offender is subject to a PFA, and situations in which a litigant is ordered to participate in domestic violence intervention or other treatment. Participants will receive an overview of the Family Court compliance calendar, including how a litigant is placed on the calendar, what compliance hearings look like, available data, and how matters can progress to contempt proceedings. Family Court practitioners will then provide a focused discussion of PFA violations and contempt, including the distinctions between civil and criminal violations and the processes for pursuing each.

Coercive Control and Non-Physical Violence-How to Prepare Survivors for Court Hearings and How to Present Cases for Court Hearings

Coercive control and non-physical forms of domestic violence can be difficult to identify, document, and effectively present in court. This training will provide victim advocates and attorneys with practical tools for understanding and addressing coercive control and non-physical violence in Delaware protection order proceedings.

Participants will review Delaware’s statutory definitions and legal framework, explore strategies for preparing survivors and framing cases for hearings, and examine effective ways to gather, organize, and present evidence. Through practical examples and discussion, the training will help participants translate survivors’ experiences into clear, compelling evidence for the court while supporting survivors throughout the legal process.

Domestic Violence 101

DCADV offers a semi-annual two-day Domestic Violence 101 (DV101) Training. DV101 is the Coalition’s signature training event and attracts a multidisciplinary audience from across the state. Participants typically include domestic violence service providers, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement agencies, and state employees working on issues ranging from behavioral health services to human resources to the criminal justice system. DV101 provides an overview of the dynamics and prevalence of domestic violence and teaches participants effective advocacy skills that support safety and empowerment across systems.

Joe conducting a training at ChristianaCare.

Sue and Elaine with Denise from the WEAVER task force at NNEDV's national advocacy day!

DCADV and member agency staff from CHILD, Inc, People's Place and YWCA DE at the National Sexual Assault Conference in August.

The task force had a quiet August. Denise and Kerry set up our WEAVER table at Dover High School for the National Night Out fair. Resources and information were shared with many families at this well-attended event.

Denise also had the pleasure of attending Sarah McBride’s press conference acknowledging the federal funding for the proposed Family Justice Center site in Sussex County.

WEAVER happily welcomed new Task Force members Theresa, Johnna, and Jess this summer.

The task force has a very full schedule for September and October and looks forward to seeing everyone out and about in the community.

What if everyone in Delaware knew where to find help and more people were ready to provide it? This is possible because of members like YOU!

Your membership supports outreach, training, advocacy, and survivor services year-round, helping more people get the support they need and strengthening our communities’ response to domestic violence.

CHILD, Inc. is thrilled to announce that Diedra Harper and Tia Tucker are the newest program directors.

Effective immediately, Diedra Harper has been promoted to Director of Domestic Violence Sheltering, Housing, and Case Management Services. Later this month, Diedra will celebrate 30 years with CHILD, Inc. Her career serving victims of domestic violence spans 36 years. Diedra has mentored many of the current victim service personnel in Delaware and has supervised countless student interns seeking experience in domestic violence services. Diedra is a past chair and co-chair of the DCADV board and was a member of the Domestic Violence Specialist Certification committee for several years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science and anticipates earning her master’s degree in 2027 in Applied Family Sciences from Wilmington University.

Diedra will continue to supervise the DV hotline, DV shelters, and Rapid Rehousing Program. She will add supervision of the Community Health Worker Program in this new role.

Tia Tucker has been promoted to Director of Visitation and Domestic Violence Court Services. Tia has served in her current role of Coordinator and later, Associate Director of the Family Visitation Center (FVC) for over 13 years. Tia coordinated with the Office of Violence against Women, key personnel throughout Delaware, and construction vendors to establish, design, furnish, and manage the Safe Haven Family Visitation Center, a 26-month pilot project. She has also overseen the Allstate Financial Literacy program, along with coordinating a Public Allies Team through a 10-month paid apprenticeship throughout various departments of CHILD, Inc., providing hands-on leadership skills, strategic programmatic tasks, and professional experiences in the social services field. Tia currently serves on the DCADV Board and is a member of their Finance Committee. She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a B.A. in Sociology and holds an MBA from the Rutgers School of Management.

Tia will continue to supervise the FVC and, in her new role, will also supervise the statewide Domestic Violence Advocacy Program in Family Court.

Diedra, Tia, and the domestic violence services program staff will be supported by Sophia Leggett. Sophia completed an internship with the domestic violence services program and will work part-time (24 hours per week) in the program assistant role until she completes her UD degree in the spring.

Congratulations to the new Domestic Violence Services Program leadership! CHILD, Inc. is fortunate to have seasoned, committed professionals like Diedra and Tia on our team!

Save the Date! The Delaware Combined Campaign for Justice (CCJ) will be hosting a screening of a new documentary about the history of legal aid in Delaware, including the evolution of its role in assisting survivors of domestic violence, on December 1, 2026, at The Baby Grand in Wilmington. Stay tuned for more details! Please contact Molly McPheeters, CCJ Campaign Manager, at mmcpheeters@delawareccj.org with any questions.