Overview & Benefits

During the 2015 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assembly, House Bill 2092 and Senate Bill 1094 were enacted so that the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) would oversee the accreditation of local sexual and domestic violence agencies.  This amendment included the creation of the Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence Programs and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Professional Standards Committee.  Prior to 2015, the accreditation process was created and overseen by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.  During the 2021 Special Session I, House Bill 2317 further amended the makeup of these committees and provided clarification regarding their duties.

The purpose of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Professional Standards Committee is to establish voluntary accreditation standards and measures by which local sexual and domestic violence programs can be systematically evaluated with a peer-reviewed process.  The committee is responsible for carrying out the duties assigned to it under Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia (§ 9.1-116.3).  The Committee consists of the following: one nonvoting member representing the Department of Criminal Justice Services; one nonvoting member appointed by and representative of the Department of Social Services; one nonvoting member appointed by and representative of the Virginia sexual and domestic violence coalition; and 12 non-legislative citizen members appointed by the Governor, who must be leadership staff of local sexual and domestic violence programs. The appointment of members must take into consideration racial and ethnic diversity and must be representative of regional and geographic locations of the Commonwealth.  The committee receives assistance from DCJS's Professional Standards Coordinator.

Vision 

Throughout Virginia, all those impacted by Sexual and Domestic Violence have accessible, community-driven quality services and resources. 

Purpose
To create standards that:
1. Credential Sexual and Domestic Violence agencies.
2. Ensure research-based best practices and inspire Sexual and Domestic Violence organizations to learn and evolve in order to best meet the needs of all those impacted by Sexual and Domestic Violence.

3. Ensure an informed core level of services is available to all those impacted by Sexual and Domestic Violence throughout Virginia.  

Value Statement
The Professional Standards Committee commits to a respective, thoughtful and transparent process to establish best practice standards for Sexual and Domestic Violence programs.  We are mindful that these standards will be survivor-centered, inclusive and empowering for both programs and those impacted by Sexual and Domestic Violence. 
 

Benefits of Becoming an Accredited Agency:

  • Confirms that your agency is operating at the highest level of practice standards in the sexual and domestic violence field
  • Conveys the quality of your program to potential clients, community members, staff, board, and funders
  • Provides access to ongoing technical assistance, peer consultation, and emerging practices