EVAWI is a catalyst for justice and healing, so EVERY survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence gets the right response, every time.
Our History
EVAWI was founded in 2003 by Sergeant Joanne Archambault. During her decades of work with victims, Sergeant Archambault saw a critical need for training law enforcement in how to investigate sexual assault and domestic violence. Criminal justice practitioners simply did not have the training and support they needed to conduct thorough investigations guided by best practices. EVAWI was created to fill this void.
What We Do
We tackle interpersonal violence against adults and adolescents of all genders. We specialize in trauma-informed law enforcement responses—from the first interaction with a victim through the investigation and potential prosecution. Positive outcomes for survivors require everyone working together, so we also champion collaborative practices, with multidisciplinary training for health care providers, prosecutors, advocates, and others who respond to survivors.
How We Do It
Our cutting-edge training and technical assistance transforms how law enforcement responds to victims. We create policies and best practices that guide change within organizations. We develop solutions for pervasive problems and work with policymakers and journalists to create culture change. We offer survivors tools for gathering information and taking action, including reporting to law enforcement. And we teach loved ones how to respond when someone tells them they’ve been hurt by sexual or domestic violence.
Collaboration is essential to everything we do. We partner with organizations inside and outside the criminal justice system to help victims, hold offenders accountable, and keep communities safe.
Our Story
Our Mission
We inspire and educate those who respond to gender-based violence, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. We promote victim-centered, multidisciplinary collaboration, which strengthens the response of the criminal justice system, other professionals, allies, and the general public — making communities safer.