History

The Coalition originated in 1983 as the Tennessee Coalition Task Force Against Domestic Violence. In June 1, 2000, the Tennessee Coalition Task Force Against Domestic Violence merged with the Tennessee Coalition Against Sexual Assault to become the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. The merger resulted as an effort to better serve victims of violence.

Since its inception, the Coalition has expanded the number of programs serving victims of domestic and sexual violence from five to sixty-five. These programs provide services to 60,000 victims annually. The Coalition has advocated for more than 80 new laws improving safety for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Agency initiatives include establishing a Women's Resource Center on domestic violence and sexual assault, coordinating and implementing a statewide Rape Aggression Defense Program, launching the first statewide public awareness campaign targeting domestic and sexual assault and establishing an Immigrant Legal Clinic providing legal advice and representation to immigrant and trafficked victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Coalition established and continues to manage two statewide councils. The Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council is responsible for developing model policies and training curriculums for law enforcement agencies and the courts, and rules for certified batterer's intervention programs. The Victims of Crime State Coordinating Council works to meet the needs of victims of all crimes in Tennessee. The Councils meet quarterly and have statewide representation.