Our mission is to eliminate sexual violence and its impacts through education, advocacy, and support to all individuals affected by sexual assault and abuse. Our vision is a community free from sexual violence.
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to eliminate sexual violence and its impacts through education, advocacy, and support to all individuals affected by sexual assault and abuse.
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Our vision is a community free from sexual violence.
Serving Survivors Since 1974
The Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency working to eliminate sexual violence and its impacts through education, advocacy, and support services. SARA serves individuals and communities in the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. SARA works with all individuals affected by sexual violence including nonoffending friends and family of survivors.
Values
These six values of trauma-informed care guide our work internally and externally as we work toward eliminating sexual violence and its impacts.
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Safety | We believe everyone deserves to be and to feel safe. We prioritize well-being and create settings where people feel secure.
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Trustworthiness and Transparency | We build trust through transparency and consistency. We use clear, honest communication and establish a sense of reliability in interactions and processes.
Peer Support | We center those with lived experience of trauma and healing (including beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, and allied partners) to inform how we establish safety, practice trustworthiness, enhance collaborations, and promote growth and resilience.
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Collaboration and Mutuality | We promote partnership and leveling power differences among staff, board, volunteers, and participants. We use shared decision-making and collaborative approaches to center the voices of those most affected by change.
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Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | We foster an environment where individuals feel empowered and their voices are heard. We respect individuals' autonomy, offer choices, and encourage self-advocacy. We prioritize the care of people ahead of any outcomes we hope to achieve.
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Intersectionality of Violence and Healing | We recognize and honor cultural, historical, and gender contexts that affect individuals' experiences, responses to trauma, and healing journeys. We commit to cultural humility and welcome diverse backgrounds and identities.
Our Work
SARA provides free, confidential support services to all survivors, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, economic status, education, parenthood, physical and/or mental abilities, national origin, immigration/documentation status or any other status.
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SARA's services include:
Preventing sexual violence from happening in the first place is a foundational strategy in our approach to eliminating sexual violence. SARA Prevention Programs aim to create cultures that prevent sexual violence through education and social norms change. We also provide programs to prevent anyone in our community from becoming a perpetrator of sexual violence. Our prevention focus is on child development and social norms change. We work primarily with schools, faith communities, parents, and organizations (local businesses, restaurants, community groups, etc.).