DVSAAP's Mission
Our mission is threefold: 1) to raise awareness in the Duke Law community about domestic violence and sexual assault; 2) to foster student advocacy on behalf of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors; and 3) to identify gaps in services available to domestic violence and sexual assault victims in the Triangle area and develop projects to fill the gaps.

2006-2007 Executive Board
President: Penelope Donkar
Programming Chairs: Annie Lee, Tricia Sindel, Chioma Ajoku, Gini Martin

DVSAAP's projects and services
To accomplish our mission, we developed and carried out four main projects:

1. Domestic Violence Awareness Month;
2. Pro Bono Advocacy with various North Carolina agencies;
3. Community Service projects with the Durham Crisis and Response Center; and
4. Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

1. Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Duke School of Law
This year DVSAAP is working to raise awareness about domestic violence throughout the month of October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To draw attention to the epidemic of violence that afflicts 3 to 4 million women a year, we are sponsoring the following events:

• Professional Clothing Drive for victims of Domestic Violence, co-sponsored by WLSA
• Community Service Event with Pennies for Change, the Durham Crisis Response associated thrift store.  Proceeds from Pennies for Change
• Talks by the director of the Battered Immigrant Project at Legal Aid of NC and an ADA who prosecutes Domestic Violence cases.

2. Pro Bono Advocacy
DVSAAP provides pro bono placements for interested students with the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (www.nccadv.org), Legal Aid of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Department of Justice.

3. Community Service Events
DVSAAP works with the Durham Crisis Response Center to organize regular community service events in the DCRC Domestic Violence Shelter and DCRC thrift store that benefits the shelter.

4. Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
This year, DVSAAP is planning a variety of activities to raise awareness about sexual assault during April, National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Interested in being involved?
Contact Penny Donkar at penelope.donkar@law.duke.edu