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Our Mission
The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (A/PI DVRP) is a non-profit organization in Washington, DC. A/PI DVRP supports and mobilizes Asian/Pacific Islanders to build safer communities by responding to harm and striving to end gender and power-based violence.
Our Story
In 1995, a group of Asian/Pacific Islander women came together to discuss the issues of violence against women in their community. These women, the Founders of DVRP, surveyed area service providers and found that over 500 abused A/PI women were unable to access culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This lack of services prevented survivors from accessing the critical resources they needed to lead healthy and safer lives.
Today, DVRP’s programs and structure is survivor-created and survivor-driven. DVRP has served over 1,300 survivors in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, empowered community leaders to speak out against violence and provided trainings to various audiences on cultural humility and domestic violence awareness.
Our Team
Krittika Ghosh (she/her)
Executive Director
Email: krittika@dvrp.org
Krittika Ghosh (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP). She has extensive experience working on gender-based violencein the US and Canada for the past 21 years. Krittika’s experience includes developing innovative programming on prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) in immigrant and refugee communities through transformative education and outreach campaigns such as the development of graphic novels and photo novels highlighting sexual violence, development of trauma art therapy workshops and peer engagement in responding to GBV. She has deep experience in community engagement, policy development and program management. Krittika was a founding member of Ontario’s Provincial Violence against Women’s round-table and provided feedback to policies on the government’s GBV related policies. Krittika is also a co-founder of the Shakti Peer group, a peer-based group responding to gender-based violence in New York City.
Krittika has been recognized for her work by the City of New York, The Filipino Women's Network, was one of Mother Board Magazine's "Person of the Year" in 2017 for her work in ending gender-based violence and is the recipient of the 2021 Imagene Stewart Surviving Sprit Award. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies from Simmons University, Boston, and with a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from the London School of Economics & Political Science.
Krittika Ghosh (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP). She has extensive experience working on gender-based violencein the US and Canada for the past 21 years. Krittika’s experience includes developing innovative programming on prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) in immigrant and refugee communities through transformative education and outreach campaigns such as the development of graphic novels and photo novels highlighting sexual violence, development of trauma art therapy workshops and peer engagement in responding to GBV. She has deep experience in community engagement, policy development and program management. Krittika was a founding member of Ontario’s Provincial Violence against Women’s round-table and provided feedback to policies on the government’s GBV related policies. Krittika is also a co-founder of the Shakti Peer group, a peer-based group responding to gender-based violence in New York City.
Krittika has been recognized for her work by the City of New York, The Filipino Women's Network, was one of Mother Board Magazine's "Person of the Year" in 2017 for her work in ending gender-based violence and is the recipient of the 2021 Imagene Stewart Surviving Sprit Award. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies from Simmons University, Boston, and with a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from the London School of Economics & Political Science.
Survivor Services Program (SSP) Staff
Kaylie (she/her)
SSP Director (Vietnamese Language)
Email: kaylie@dvrp.org
Kaylie (she/her) has been part of the DVRP team since 2014 when she joined the organization as a Vietnamese Case Manager. Since 2014, Kaylie has provided linguistically and culturally specific case management to survivors at DVRP. In her current role, Kaylie leads the Survivor Services team in providing comprehensive case management and mental health services. Kaylie is passionate about empowering all survivors through a trauma-informed approach to healing and justice. She also aims to improve all individuals' well-being and quality of life to build safe, equitable, thriving communities where people are less likely to use violence.
Prior to joining DVRP, Kaylie worked at Access Youth Inc. as a Program Coordinator. In that capacity, she has worked with at-risk youths as a mentor and mediator by promoting alternatives to violence and conflict management skills in collaboration with various programs in the District of Columbia. Kaylie also worked as a Teacher with Asian American LEAD's Elementary After-School Program. She is proficient in Vietnamese and loves doing anything that pushes her outside her comfort zone.
Kaylie (she/her) has been part of the DVRP team since 2014 when she joined the organization as a Vietnamese Case Manager. Since 2014, Kaylie has provided linguistically and culturally specific case management to survivors at DVRP. In her current role, Kaylie leads the Survivor Services team in providing comprehensive case management and mental health services. Kaylie is passionate about empowering all survivors through a trauma-informed approach to healing and justice. She also aims to improve all individuals' well-being and quality of life to build safe, equitable, thriving communities where people are less likely to use violence.
Prior to joining DVRP, Kaylie worked at Access Youth Inc. as a Program Coordinator. In that capacity, she has worked with at-risk youths as a mentor and mediator by promoting alternatives to violence and conflict management skills in collaboration with various programs in the District of Columbia. Kaylie also worked as a Teacher with Asian American LEAD's Elementary After-School Program. She is proficient in Vietnamese and loves doing anything that pushes her outside her comfort zone.
Elly (she/her)
Case Manager (Cantonese, Mandarin Languages)
Email: elly@dvrp.org
Elly (she/her) has 10 years of experience providing business and social services to a wide spectrum of people. In addition to her financial and administrative roles managing family investments in Wu & Associates, LLC, her passion to help others is reflected in her roles of helping victims of domestic violence and caring for elders in Assisted Living facilities. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from West Chester University and two Associates Degrees in Business and Accounting with Honors from Delaware County Community College. Elly has written and speaking/listening fluency in Cantonese and Mandarin and listening fluency in Wenzhounese, Taishanese, and Shanghainese. She raised three third-culture children that, as a family, have traveled more than 1 million flight miles to more than 30 different countries. She can be reached at elly@dvrp.org.
Elly (she/her) has 10 years of experience providing business and social services to a wide spectrum of people. In addition to her financial and administrative roles managing family investments in Wu & Associates, LLC, her passion to help others is reflected in her roles of helping victims of domestic violence and caring for elders in Assisted Living facilities. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from West Chester University and two Associates Degrees in Business and Accounting with Honors from Delaware County Community College. Elly has written and speaking/listening fluency in Cantonese and Mandarin and listening fluency in Wenzhounese, Taishanese, and Shanghainese. She raised three third-culture children that, as a family, have traveled more than 1 million flight miles to more than 30 different countries. She can be reached at elly@dvrp.org.
Farhana (she/her)
Client Support Advocate
Email: farhana@dvrp.org
Farhana graduated from The National University, Bangladesh with a Bachelor & Master's Degree in Social Work. With 10 years of experience in telecommunication/Industrial industry, she has developed a strong set of skills and proven track record of success. Farhana has been a part of DVRP as a volunteer for several years and has most recently represented us at NAPAWF's economic justice lobby day on the hill. She is also the joint recipient of 2023 Servant of Justice Award from Legal Aid along with DVRP.
Farhana graduated from The National University, Bangladesh with a Bachelor & Master's Degree in Social Work. With 10 years of experience in telecommunication/Industrial industry, she has developed a strong set of skills and proven track record of success. Farhana has been a part of DVRP as a volunteer for several years and has most recently represented us at NAPAWF's economic justice lobby day on the hill. She is also the joint recipient of 2023 Servant of Justice Award from Legal Aid along with DVRP.
Outreach and Training Staff
Avantika Outreach and Training Manager
Email: avantika@dvrp.org
Avantika is a South Asian immigrant artist and social worker rooted in the values of social and disability justice, anti-oppression, and liberation.Their art and healing work stems from a deep personal space – their art is a mirror to their healing journey and a conduit for unlearning harm & re-learning care.
Currently, within the professional realm, Avantika is the Outreach and Training Program Manager at Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project where they strive to foster deep community connections and create resources for safety & care for API survivors beyond the carceral system and to end power-based violence. They have also provided 1:1 support sessions to survivors which focus on co-creating spaces of deep healing by honing creative and cultural practices. They hold a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and come from experiences in community organizing to advocate for release people from prisons, peer support, and providing case management to sex workers and sex trafficking survivors in the D.C area.
Within the communities Avantika has been a part of, they realized the stark existence of harm and trauma that individuals and communities endure, and the need for healing – intergenerationally, communally, interpersonally, and personally. With their education, work, and lived experience, Avantika hopes to create welcoming and safe healing spaces with the utilization of art and other tools rooted in community.
Avantika is a South Asian immigrant artist and social worker rooted in the values of social and disability justice, anti-oppression, and liberation.Their art and healing work stems from a deep personal space – their art is a mirror to their healing journey and a conduit for unlearning harm & re-learning care.
Currently, within the professional realm, Avantika is the Outreach and Training Program Manager at Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project where they strive to foster deep community connections and create resources for safety & care for API survivors beyond the carceral system and to end power-based violence. They have also provided 1:1 support sessions to survivors which focus on co-creating spaces of deep healing by honing creative and cultural practices. They hold a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and come from experiences in community organizing to advocate for release people from prisons, peer support, and providing case management to sex workers and sex trafficking survivors in the D.C area.
Within the communities Avantika has been a part of, they realized the stark existence of harm and trauma that individuals and communities endure, and the need for healing – intergenerationally, communally, interpersonally, and personally. With their education, work, and lived experience, Avantika hopes to create welcoming and safe healing spaces with the utilization of art and other tools rooted in community.
Jess (she/they)
Outreach and Training Coordinator
Email: jess@dvrp.org
Jess (she/they) is one of DVRP's Outreach and Training Coordinators. She has a background in grassroots community organizing with mutual aid groups in Appalachia that center racial justice, reproductive justice, and food security. In these collectives, Jess enjoys crafting fun drinks for the all-volunteer community cafe space, facilitating workshops, and reading zines. Her more recent organizing endeavors include anti-gentrification work for the Vietnamese community in the DMV.
Their educational background is in Economics, Asian Studies, and PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Econ). During university, she started advocating in Asian student spaces, and helped structure the first national effort for an Intercollegiate APIDA Coalition.
Jess looks up to A/PI movement leaders, advocates, and musicians like Grace Lee Boggs and June Millington. She is also a women's rock music history nerd and enjoys playing electric guitar, bass, and drums in her free time.
Jess (she/they) is one of DVRP's Outreach and Training Coordinators. She has a background in grassroots community organizing with mutual aid groups in Appalachia that center racial justice, reproductive justice, and food security. In these collectives, Jess enjoys crafting fun drinks for the all-volunteer community cafe space, facilitating workshops, and reading zines. Her more recent organizing endeavors include anti-gentrification work for the Vietnamese community in the DMV.
Their educational background is in Economics, Asian Studies, and PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Econ). During university, she started advocating in Asian student spaces, and helped structure the first national effort for an Intercollegiate APIDA Coalition.
Jess looks up to A/PI movement leaders, advocates, and musicians like Grace Lee Boggs and June Millington. She is also a women's rock music history nerd and enjoys playing electric guitar, bass, and drums in her free time.
Paige (she/her)
Outreach and Training Coordinator
Email: paige@dvrp.org
Paige (she/her) joined the team in April 2024 as one of DVRP’s Outreach and Training Coordinators. She has a background in research and storytelling and comes to DVRP grounded in values of abolition, collective liberation, and community care.
Paige’s educational background is in psychology and sociology, grounded in liberation psychology. During college, she completed two projects related to A/PI identity and experiences: the first explored Asian and Asian American racialization through the lenses of racial capitalism and settler colonialism, and the second was a community storytelling project for multiracial Asian and White college students to explore identity and heal racial trauma. She previously worked at a social policy research organization where she focused on social safety net access and A/PI data disaggregation.
Paige grew up in the DMV and is excited to connect with the local A/PI community and strengthen her connection with her own Japanese heritage. She enjoys writing, exploring nature, thrifting, and taking care of her plants.
Paige (she/her) joined the team in April 2024 as one of DVRP’s Outreach and Training Coordinators. She has a background in research and storytelling and comes to DVRP grounded in values of abolition, collective liberation, and community care.
Paige’s educational background is in psychology and sociology, grounded in liberation psychology. During college, she completed two projects related to A/PI identity and experiences: the first explored Asian and Asian American racialization through the lenses of racial capitalism and settler colonialism, and the second was a community storytelling project for multiracial Asian and White college students to explore identity and heal racial trauma. She previously worked at a social policy research organization where she focused on social safety net access and A/PI data disaggregation.
Paige grew up in the DMV and is excited to connect with the local A/PI community and strengthen her connection with her own Japanese heritage. She enjoys writing, exploring nature, thrifting, and taking care of her plants.
Shayna (they/she)
Community Impact Coordinator
Email: shayna@dvrp.org
Shayna (they/she) joined DVRP in July 2023 as Community Impact Coordinator, and since then, has worked with the Outreach and Training Team to establish the LotusLink Volunteer Program. They work with volunteers, advocates, and survivors to build community connections and share stories that challenge carceral approaches to ending violence and nurture collective healing.
Prior to DVRP, Shayna was an organizer with ACLU Hawai’i advocating for halting a jail expansion project, supporting police accountability, and expanding access to reentry services. She also worked as a state legislative aid and organizer focusing on LGBTQ+ liberation, reproductive justice, anti-poverty justice, and voting rights in Hawai’i and Wyoming.
Shayna continues to deepen their community ties and expand their imagination through Essie Justice’s Healing to Advocacy cohort program, organizing with the Baldwin House Community Cooperative and GSA Network’s Two-Spirit Initiative, and writing in Interrupting Criminalization’s Journalism and Writers Cohort. They currently reside in Washington DC with their partner and two squishy dogs.
Shayna (they/she) joined DVRP in July 2023 as Community Impact Coordinator, and since then, has worked with the Outreach and Training Team to establish the LotusLink Volunteer Program. They work with volunteers, advocates, and survivors to build community connections and share stories that challenge carceral approaches to ending violence and nurture collective healing.
Prior to DVRP, Shayna was an organizer with ACLU Hawai’i advocating for halting a jail expansion project, supporting police accountability, and expanding access to reentry services. She also worked as a state legislative aid and organizer focusing on LGBTQ+ liberation, reproductive justice, anti-poverty justice, and voting rights in Hawai’i and Wyoming.
Shayna continues to deepen their community ties and expand their imagination through Essie Justice’s Healing to Advocacy cohort program, organizing with the Baldwin House Community Cooperative and GSA Network’s Two-Spirit Initiative, and writing in Interrupting Criminalization’s Journalism and Writers Cohort. They currently reside in Washington DC with their partner and two squishy dogs.
Our team
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