Learn More About the Project

VAdata is an electronic web-based data collection system for Virginia's sexual and domestic violence service agencies. One of its unique features is that VAdata collects information on both sexual and domestic violence, combining information from domestic violence programs and sexual assault crisis centers in one system.

The system provides a summary of data on the adults and children served by these agencies, including a description of the violence experienced, the perpetrators of that violence, the impact of the violence and strategies used to cope with its effects, and the services received.

The data provided by VAdata are an important tool in Virginia's effort to address and prevent sexual and domestic violence. Moreover, data help to illustrate how services change lives. In 2014, 3,148 adult users of Virginia's sexual and domestic violence agencies responded to confidential surveys:
  • 87% knew more ways to plan for their safety.
  • 85% know more about community resources.
  • 85% felt more hopeful about their lives.

Value to Sexual and Domestic Violence Service Agencies

  • Responds to the data needs of advocates and survivors
  • Generates reports for multiple funding sources
  • Offers immediate access to community and statewide report data
  • Offers case management capabilities
  • Reduces documentation and recordkeeping
  • Promotes consistency with internal and statewide documentation and reporting
  • Complies with VAWA confidentiality regulations
  • Includes outcome data generated from surveys completed by service recipients

Value to Communities and/or States

  • Provides community and statewide data
  • Promotes consistency in community and/or statewide data collection and reporting
  • Generates local and statewide reports for diverse purposes
  • Includes data collected directly from victims on the impact and value of services provided
  • Is adaptable to other states and localities
  • Was designed, established, and tested specifically for sexual and domestic violence service agencies

Survivors of domestic violence who were staying in Virginia shelters responded to the question, 'What would you have done if the shelter had not existed?'


  • 148 people (21%) indicated they would have been compelled to return to their abusers.
  • 71 people (10%) indicated they believed they would be dead at the hands of their abusers.
  • 7 people (1%) indicated they might have taken their own lives .
  • 155 people (22%) indicated they would be homeless .
  • 148 people (21%) indicated they had no idea what they would have done.