About WomenSV
WomenSV (Women of Silicon Valley) is a Los Altos based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating survivors, providers and the community about covert abuse and coercive control. Founded by Ruth Darlene Patrick in 2011, WomenSV provides accessible information about subtle forms of domestic abuse. Over the past 13 years, Ruth and WomenSV have provided direct support to over 1500 survivors of covert abuse and coercive control. The organization empowers survivors by validating their experiences and sharing knowledge about subtle forms of abuse along with safety planning strategies and available resources. WomenSV provides trauma-informed trainings that equip professionals to support survivors as well as public presentations to raise awareness about this social issue.
Our Mission
WomenSV's mission is to empower survivors, train providers and educate the community to break the cycle of covert abuse and coercive control in intimate partner relationships. Domestic abuse comes in various forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, spiritual, legal, and financial abuse. The focus of WomenSV is on subtle forms of domestic abuse: covert abuse and coercive control. We firmly believe that no one should suffer in silence or live in fear within their own home.
Our mission revolves around three core pillars: education, training, and support.
Education:
We are dedicated to raising public awareness about covert abuse and coercive control. Many individuals, professionals, and communities lack the education necessary to recognize and respond to these subtle forms of domestic violence. Our goal is to change that. We believe that knowledge is power, and by educating people about the signs, impact, and available resources, we can empower survivors and inspire a culture of change.
Training:
WomenSV provides trauma-informed training to professionals in healthcare, law enforcement, education, technology, mental health, and the justice system. These training programs are designed to equip providers with the skills and understanding needed to support survivors effectively. By creating a network of trained professionals, we aim to ensure that survivors receive the care and assistance they deserve.
Support:
Survivors of covert abuse and coercive control often feel isolated and alone. WomenSV provides information on safety planning and available resources to support survivors of domestic abuse. Together we can find the strength to break free from the cycle of abuse and create healthier lives for ourselves and our children.
Our Services
WomenSV offers the following services:
Community Education: We conduct outreach and awareness campaigns to shine a light on the issue of covert abuse and coercive control. Through workshops, seminars, and public presentations, we aim to educate the community about the signs and consequences of these forms of abuse.
Trauma-Informed Training: Our training programs are tailored to professionals in various fields, including healthcare, law enforcement, education, technology, and mental health. These programs equip providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to support survivors of covert abuse and coercive control sensitively and effectively.
Online Directory of Resources: Our online directory serves as a comprehensive resource hub for survivors. It provides access to valuable information, articles, and support networks, ensuring that survivors can find the resources they need to take control of their lives.
Our Approach
It's essential to understand that WomenSV is primarily an educational center, not a crisis center.
If you are in need of urgent assistance, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 799-7233.
We do not provide legal assistance or become involved in legal proceedings. WomenSV does not provide specific recommendations or referrals for lawyers or therapists. Additionally, we do not operate a shelter or offer in-person services. Our focus is on education, empowerment, and support.
We also want to emphasize we cannot guarantee specific outcomes from the resources we mention, and we encourage individuals to conduct thorough research to determine the best course of action for their unique circumstances.
Breaking the Silence
One of the significant challenges we face is the pervasive misconception that domestic violence only occurs in certain communities or socioeconomic levels. The reality is that domestic violence knows no boundaries. It affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, or profession. It is an equal-opportunity destroyer, and it thrives in secrecy.
WomenSV is dedicated to breaking the silence surrounding domestic abuse. We believe that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to live in a safe and supportive environment. We recognize that in cases involving powerful and sophisticated abusers, escape can be exceptionally challenging. Abusers in such situations often have control over financial resources, making it difficult for survivors to break free safely, avoid crippling debt, and retain custody of their children.
To address these unique challenges, WomenSV remains steadfast in its mission to educate, train, and support survivors and professionals. We are committed to our vision, in which everyone can exercise their fundamental human right to live in peace, safety and freedom in their own home.
Our Impact
Since 2011, WomenSV has directly supported over 1500 survivors, and our online educational initiatives have reached thousands of people worldwide. Our organization stands out for its unique focus on covert abuse and coercive control, an area that has only recently gained recognition and discussion.
WomenSV has gained national recognition and has been featured in documentaries, news programs, and media outlets, including the Investigation Discovery Channel documentary, "Behind Closed Doors: Shocking Secrets," the Megyn Kelly Today Show, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America.
Ruth Darlene Patrick's tireless efforts and dedication have earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including the Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence Honoree, the Jefferson Award for Public Service from CBS affiliate KPIX, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Leaders award, the Mid-Peninsula Media Center Local Heroes award, the San Jose Mercury News Wishbook Award, and two Purple Ribbon Awards from Domestic Shelters for Best Executive Director and Best DV Program of 2021. Ruth also contributes to the cause by writing a column on coercive control for the Los Altos Town Crier.
About Ruth Darlene Patrick, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV
Ruth Darlene Patrick is the founder and Executive Director of WomenSV. Her educational background includes a Master’s in English Literature, teaching credential and California state certification in domestic violence advocacy. At Stanford’s Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Ruth worked as a teacher and curriculum writer in a study designed to raise awareness about eating disorders. She adapted their research model to create her own program in 2011 to address covert abuse and coercive control. WomenSV was born out of a deep commitment to addressing the hidden layers of domestic abuse that often go unaddressed.
Initially operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the Los Altos Community Foundation, WomenSV became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2017. Ruth developed the program to address the risks and challenges of more subtle but still dangerous forms of abuse in intimate partner relationships. In addition to supporting survivors by maintaining a directory of resources, she does public presentations and offers trainings to assist providers in becoming more trauma-informed in working with survivors of covert abuse and coercive control, particularly those involved with a powerful, sophisticated intimate partner.
Ruth’s professional trainings include:
• Santa Clara County (SCC): Domestic Violence Council’s Annual Domestic Violence Conference, Probation Department, Superior Court, District Attorney’s Office, SCC Psychological Association therapists, Court Systems staff, Los Altos Police Department, Foothill-De Anza College Police Department, Kaiser physicians (Santa Clara and San Jose), Valley Medical Center physicians, HR and global security staff at Google and Google X (Mountain View), Oracle (Santa Clara), LogDNA/Mezmo, Mountain View Los Altos Challenge Team, Domestic Violence Advocate staff and students at AACI, CORA and NARIKA
• Southern California: Probation Department in Orange County
• San Mateo County: Domestic Violence Council and CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse), Atherton Police Department
• Statewide: Judicial officers across California
• International: Americas Conference to End Coercive Control (ACECC); Association of Threat Assessment Professionals International Conference (ATAP)
Our Sustaining Partners
The work of WomenSV would not be possible without the generous support of our partners and donors. We receive funding from individuals who believe in our cause, as well as government agencies like the Los Altos City Council and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Service clubs such as Rotary and Kiwanis, and community and hospital foundations, including the Los Altos Community Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, El Camino Healthcare District, Peninsula Healthcare District, and Sequoia Healthcare District, have also been instrumental in sustaining our efforts.
Fighting Misinformation and Harassment Online
The moment when a woman leaves an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous and terrifying moment of her life. The team at WomenSV knows this all too well, either from personal experience or from our work with those who have experienced abuse. For the past 13 years, WomenSV has been dedicated to, and has earned a strong national reputation for, supporting survivors of coercive control and covert abuse.
Unfortunately, our work defending and supporting those who suffer abuse has placed our organization and its leaders at the center of an intentional misinformation campaign. The allegations spread are not only inaccurate and baseless, but by casting doubt on WomenSV, these lies dismantle a critical bridge of support for so many looking to escape their abusers. Given the ongoing stalking and attacks, our team has been forced to operate virtually, as our offices have been a target of harassment and stalking.
The strength and value of the work that we do is evidenced in the lives of the women we have served and strengthened by our partnerships with our local police, the Board of Supervisors, the Domestic Violence Council, Kaiser Permanente, Valley Medical Center, the Bay Area Psychological Association, and the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Despite the personal and professional damage created by these lies and allegations, WomenSV and its team are resolute in our commitment and focus on empowering women and survivors.
Join Us in Creating Change
WomenSV's journey has been one of dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of survivors of covert abuse and coercive control. We invite you to join us in our mission to promote the fundamental human right of every adult and child to live in peace and safety within their own homes.
Together, we can break the cycle of abuse, empower survivors, educate professionals, and create a community where domestic violence has no place. The healing, progress, and social change we seek will begin one woman, one child, one family at a time.
Thank you for your support and for standing with WomenSV in our pursuit of a safer and more equitable future for all.
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