At Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center our mission is simple: to PROTECT victims, PREVENT violence, and EMPOWER survivors.
We accomplish this by providing citizens of Rutherford County with the resources and assistance necessary to effectively deal with the personal, social, and legal implications of victimization by domestic violence and sexual assault.
After 15 years of hard advocacy work, in 2003, the program was able to build a confidential, emergency, safe shelter – deemed the Bernard House. In 2007, Domestic Violence Program merged with Sexual Assault Services, becoming a dual program which today is known as Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center. Today our center specializes in a wide array of vital healing and protective services including 24/7 crisis support, emergency shelter, sexual assault advocacy including onsite medical exams, counseling, and legal/court advocacy to all current or past victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking free of charge.