WomenSV is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering survivors, providers and communities with education about covert abuse and coercive control.

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Our vision:

a world in which every adult and child can exercise their fundamental human right to live in peace, safety and freedom in their own home.

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BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW!

NEW ONLINE COURSE:

UNDERSTANDING AND DOCUMENTING COERCIVE CONTROL

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OUR SERVICES

Please note WomenSV is an educational center, not a crisis center!
WomenSV does not provide shelter services or legal assistance.
If you are urgently in need of immediate assistance, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 or contact your local DV agency for support.

Understanding and Documenting Coercive Control online training WomenSV

Coercive control training online

Learn how to effectively document coercive control in our 90-minute online course for survivors, service providers, advocates and allies:

Documenting Coercive Control with the Executive Summary Workshop

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Ruth Darlene of WomenSV education for providers

We provide training for therapists, attorneys, physicians and other professionals to help them become more trauma-informed and aware of subtle forms of domestic abuse.

Provider trainings

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WomenSV offers customized trainings for a variety of providers, including:

Law enforcement

WomenSV coercive control law enforcement training

Domestic Violence Advocates

WomenSV domestic violence advocate training clip

Therapists

WomenSV Ruth Patrick therapist training clip

Physicians

WomenSV coercive control and covert abuse physician training

Faith Leaders

WomenSV coercive control faith leader training

Click the button below to view examples of professional trainings or schedule a training session.

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WomenSV Ruth Patrick domestic violence education for corporate partnerships

Through presentations for service clubs, schools and other social groups, we work to raise public awareness about coercive control and other forms of domestic abuse in and beyond the Bay Area.

Click the button below to view or schedule a presentation.

Public presentations

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Ruth Darlene Patrick of WomenSV community outreach for domestic violence awareness

Media outreach

We offer education on covert abuse and coercive control for the public through media interviews.

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WomenSV services for survivor advocacy

Survivor education

WomenSV empowers survivors through education and safety planning around covert abuse and coercive control. We help survivors identify subtle forms of abuse they may have experienced in addition to physical and sexual violence. We also help them recognize the impact this type of abuse may have on them and their children, and share information about available resources.

Click here to browse our searchable directory of resources online.

View Resources

LATEST NEWS

Featured
How Coercive Control Works Before Anyone Sees It with Ruth Darlene of WomenSV
How Coercive Control Works Before Anyone Sees It with Ruth Darlene of WomenSV

Ruth Darlene of WomenSV joined Dr. Sandi M.Ed., Ph.D. on the Title IX Insider Podcast for an important conversation about coercive control, covert abuse, survivor safety, prevention education, and the warning signs people often miss. Ruth explains why coercive control must be understood as a pattern, not a single incident. She also discusses how survivors may be made to doubt themselves, why subtle forms of abuse can be difficult to document, and how education can help people recognize danger before it escalates.

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How covert abuse isolates survivors: The private island of coercive control
How covert abuse isolates survivors: The private island of coercive control

What is coercive control and how does covert abuse isolate survivors? Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, explains how coercive control traps survivors in isolation through subtle manipulation, intimidation and psychological abuse that often hides in plain sight.

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International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women + UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women + UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls

November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and today marks the launch of a global movement featuring 16 days of activism: UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls. This year's campaign is dedicated to addressing digital abuse.

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VIDEOS

K-LOVE Interview with Ruth Darlene of WomenSV about Covert Abuse and Coercive Control

K-LOVE Interview with Ruth Darlene of WomenSV about Covert Abuse and Coercive Control

How to document coercive control in 5 steps - Website YouTube Thumbnails

How to Document Coercive Control in 5 Steps

Ruth Darlene & WomenSV: UNMASKING Dr Jekyll, THE COVERT NARCISSISTIC PSYCHOPATHIC ABUSER

Ruth Darlene & WomenSV: UNMASKING Dr Jekyll, THE COVERT NARCISSISTIC PSYCHOPATHIC ABUSER

Teen Dating Violence: Covert Abuse and Coercive Control

Teen Dating Violence: Covert Abuse and Coercive Control

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Online harassment is never ok.
Learn about WomenSV's experience with harassment and get the facts here.

TESTIMONIALS

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "I was trapped for 20 years, thinking there was no way I could ever get out. WomenSV was the catalyst I needed."

    -Lou Anne

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "WomenSV helped me stay out of the abusive relationship by giving me a community of women who supported me through the difficult phases of leaving. It gave me words for what had happened and taught me that abuse is not only physical."

    -Laurene

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "WomenSV taught me that I am not ‘useless’ or ‘ridiculous.’ I deserve a peaceful life. I deserve to be free and safe in my own home."

    -Susan

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "WomenSV saved me from a life of abuse and mistreatment. This group allowed me to identify the behavior that was happening and helped me find a way and the courage to leave. I couldn't be more thankful to them!"

    -Margaret

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "WomenSV has helped me in so many ways. I can't even imagine my life right now without it. I came in feeling isolated and struggling, but I have gained the tools and support to move forward. Ruth is an impassioned educator. She teaches us how to recognize domestic violence and abuse and gives us the language to talk about it. This allows me to heal from my past, protect myself in the present, and plan for a healthy future. I use this knowledge and language to help my children understand what we've been through and have happier and healthier lives."

    -Anne

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Now that I have found WomenSV, I don't feel alone anymore."

    -Mary

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Thank you WomenSV for helping me fly free. Thank you for helping me get my life back."

    -Patricia

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Meeting Ruth and being involved with WomenSV was literally a lifesaver. Living in a world of covert deception and abusive tactics is soul squashing and WomenSV allowed me to find validation and resources while I try and be a mother in an intense dynamic. I am able to learn to find joy again, self care, and most importantly stop the cycle of violence in raising up the next generation by having peace in our home now."

    -Laura

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "When I first met Ruth, I was in a state of shock and trauma ... I escaped, but I was completely wrecked in every way a human being can be. Ruth, with her infinite kindness, stepped in to help me begin picking up the pieces. With her wonderfully astute insights into the unique plight of victims of affluent and powerful predators, she offered guidance, comfort and validation ... Step by step, Ruth Patrick and WomenSV are helping me repair my life. Words cannot express the ocean of gratitude I have for this woman and this organization."

    -Sally

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Ruth not only opened my eyes to finally face and see the DV in my life and my children's lives but also to find the strength to 'change my situation'! She has also helped me continue to heal and re-open my heart to know that I am worthy of feeling safe, loved, herished and trusting again. She has shared her wisdom, love, strength, compassion, and insight and helped me find my power again. Ruth inspires us all each day with her presence and grace that NO ONE deserves to live with DV in their lives ever. We all deserve peace. Thank you, Ruth!"

    -Tess

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "I am so grateful to find WomenSV. WomenSV brought me HOPE, when I thought that I lost it. I was hopeless and living in fear ... now I know that I am not alone, I have WomenSV to help me in my journey to get back strength to deal with my abuser."

    -Juanita

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "WSV has been a life saver to me, I wouldn't be where I am today without your help! HUGE THANK YOU to all the woman warriors and trailblazers!"

    -Julia

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and for others, and to get the word out about what covert abuse is, how it works, and how serious it is. If I hadn’t gone through it and had WomenSV to help me understand, I’d likely still be blaming myself and not have made as much progress as I have towards having a life worth living."

    -Sabrina

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "If it wasn’t for the support of Ruth and the advocates I would not be free today."

    -Miranda

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "The expertise that WomenSV has in domestic violence is priceless."

    -Rita

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Ruth and her team are uniquely qualified to understand the nature of this devastating problem... Without Ruth and her team I honestly think I would have given up hope long ago."

    -Felicity

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Ruth is a walking-talking encyclopedia on safety planning and how to identify and tackle abusive personality types. She has her fingers firmly on the pulse of these types and provides us survivors with a roadmap on how to navigate this minefield of being in an intimate relationship with an abuser. Thank you, Ruth!"

    -Claire

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. … Without the support from your organization I may still feel as the battle still remains uphill. I don’t, I found a smile today and a beat in my heart I’ve missed for nearly 18 long months. Empowering us to take our lives and control back is what your words have done for me. To me it’s not a coincidence that today I’ve become the warrior, it was just the ending it was meant to be and it’s always darkest before the dawn. Again I can’t tell you how thankful I am to know someone took the time to even help me understand and even offer more insight in the way of education in this matter. I truly can’t wait until the last page of this story is written but I will forever remain thankful and loyal to this cause. I will survive and be far better than I ever have been due to your advice and support."

    -Ariana

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    "[Understanding and Documenting Coercive Control: Executive Summary Workshop] was incredibly validating for me. I spent many years questioning myself about what it was that my family and myself were going through. There were times when I questioned my sanity. Had I had access to, or known about this workshop or even the words coercive control it would have saved me so much angst."

    -Daisy

  • WomenSV Testimonials

    “[Understanding and Documenting Coercive Control: Executive Summary Workshop] was very helpful. As a Domestic Violence Case Manager, I carry pride in my story instead of shame. With my story, I shine a light on the path for survivors. A light of hope that they too can escape, heal, and shine their light on others. I now feel confident as I assist DV clients with their request for restraining order statements that I can help them process coercive control abuse. I know clients do not feel heard or believe that some of the things they endure are not true, they believe it is all in their head. I know I can give them relief and hope that someone does understand. This also helped me with my own past abusive experiences. Learning about coercive control gave me an abuse definition that I could not find. Thank you!”

    -Ellie

Names have been changed to protect survivor anonymity.

More testimonials

We invite you to partner with us to break the cycle of violence. Click here to donate or send a check made out to WomenSV to:

WomenSV, P.O. Box 3982, Los Altos, CA 94024

Help WomenSV continue its vital services for survivors of powerful, sophisticated abusers!

Contact Us

For more information about our programs and services, contact us.

Donate

We never charge for our services so we count on your donations to help us. Click here to donate to WomenSV today.

Many thanks to our volunteer artist Dave Hendrickson for representing WomenSV’s mission so beautifully in the painting below.