Mission
e·qui·poise /ˈekwəˌpoiz/ noun - balance of forces or interests.
Equipoise Center on Domestic Violence (ECDV) provides high-quality training and educational materials on domestic violence and related issues. Victims of domestic violence are often disadvantaged by having less power and fewer resources than those who abuse them, and they often find themselves inadvertently revictimized by the very systems in place to provide safety and support. By providing trauma-based, victim-centered education, Equipoise works with our partners to raise awareness of the complex dynamics of domestic violence, share resources for intervention and prevention, and strengthen our overall coordinated community response.
ECDV educators are held to a high professional standard and uphold tenets of inclusion and cultural humility, recognizing that a broad and diverse population is represented in anti-violence work. ECDV does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, and national or ethnic origin.
Who We Are
Larissa Sutherland
Working in sexual assault and domestic violence programs for over ten years, Larissa has developed educational programs and presented trainings on topics related to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, childhood trauma, and family homelessness to allied professionals, students, medical providers, military service members, faith communities, and the general public. She is an advanced-level domestic violence intervention specialist accredited through the National Advocate Credentialing Program. She works full-time as a victim advocate with the Navy, helping people safely extract themselves from dangerous and unhealthy relationships, build their support networks, and navigate the criminal justice system. Since 2015, Larissa has worked with hundreds of men through 18-week state certified batterers’ intervention programs. She designs and facilitates educational curricula on abuse, accountability, healthy relationships, conflict resolution, and related topics. She has created prevention initiatives, worked on legislative efforts, and participated in regional taskforces, including the annual Day of Unity-Night of Remembrance vigil to memorialize fatal victims of domestic violence. For over four years, Larissa facilitated the Virginia Beach coordinated community response team and worked with the Virginia Department of Health in 2014 to establish the City's first fatality review team. She is particularly dedicated to the pursuit of social equality and to education programs focused on gender parity and the prevention of interpersonal violence. Larissa, who has a bachelor of arts degree from Hollins University, comes from a long line of educators and activists and believes that expanding and sharing knowledge are essential for personal growth and positive social change. She founded Equipoise, LLC in 2019.
Aynmarie Carter, MPH
Aynmarie Carter is a dedicated and passionate human services professional with 15+ years of experience serving families through community-based organizations and government agencies. She is knowledgeable about and skilled in program development and implementation designed to promote healthy behaviors and improve family functioning. Aynmarie’s dedication to providing education and support to new parents began when she first became a mother in 2003. Since then, her professional experiences include serving as a W.I.C. breastfeeding peer counselor, a children’s oral health educator, and a parenting group facilitator. She became a certified lactation counselor in 2012 and developed monthly breastfeeding and prenatal peer support groups in her role as health education coordinator for the Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project, a program of REACHUP, Inc. Aynmarie currently serves as the New Parent Support Program home visitor for Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Aynmarie is known for her strong presentation skills and community outreach. She focuses on program integrity, transparent communication, and high-quality outcomes. Aynmarie recently enhanced her virtual training abilities and curriculum development as a program contractor with Virginia Beach GrowSmart Foundation. Aynmarie holds a bachelor of science degree in human services and counseling from Old Dominion University and master's degree in public health from University of South Florida. Aynmarie’s volunteer experiences include Girl Scout troop leader and after-school program tutor. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Aynmarie has made Virginia her home. She enjoys her two teenage daughters, reading, yoga, and walking her dog.
Debra Sanders
Debbie Sanders has been working with victims of abuse since 1998. Her advocacy began with TESSA, a domestic violence agency in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she served as a volunteer rural victim advocate on the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) and as a confidential victim advocate at TESSA’s Safehouse. Debbie was also the chairperson for the Tri-lakes Health Advocacy Partnership of Monument, Colorado and provided resources, including domestic violence advocacy, for the community. After moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2005, Debbie began working at another domestic violence agency, Samaritan House, as a victim advocate and police liaison with the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD). For seven years, Debbie provided domestic violence training to the VBPD new recruit academies, community groups, high school students, volunteers at Samaritan House and other agencies, including the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court volunteer advocates. Her trainings focused on intimate partner violence, sexual assault, advocacy, self-care, empowerment, and resource development. In 2012, Debbie transitioned to working with the military as a sexual assault response coordinator, overseeing the implementation and execution of the Navy’s sexual assault and response program. Debbie provided care to victims and coordinated on-base resources and facilitated trainings to commands, local partners, chaplains, commanding officers, and security. Since 2013 she has been working directly with military and civilian victims of domestic violence as an advanced level victim intervention specialist, credited through the National Advocate Credentialing Program. She provides advocacy, resources, and information to victims of domestic violence, as well as training to commands, staff, and the community. Debbie has been recognized for her expertise and dedication as the Civilian of the Quarter in 2018 and was nominated for Pikes Peak Volunteer of the Year award and the National Crime Victim Service Volunteer for Victims award. In 2003 she coordinated with U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado to establish the “Stop Family Violence” United States postal stamp, which raises money for domestic violence awareness.
Brian Hawkins, MSW
Brian, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, is a father of four sons, foster father, and godfather to many others. He graduated from Norfolk State University with a master’s degree in education and counseling and a masters of social work degree. He is the vice president of the African American Male Focus, a Hampton Roads area 501(c)(3) organization, that focuses on uplifting African American males and families through education, adjudication, health, and employment. Brian is best known for his training and for his development of fatherhood programs on a national level. In 2002, the Social Work Professional Journal selected his flagship program, Fathers In Training, as one of the best fatherhood programs in the nation. He has been honored by human rights advocacy groups and was a recipient of the City of Virginia Beach’s Human Rights Commission Award and the City Manager Creativity Award. Brian was the consortium chairman for the Hampton Roads Area Strengthening Families Initiative on Fatherhood until 2014. He is a master certified trainer for The National Partnership for Community Leadership for Fragile Families, co-developer and program coordinator for the award-winning program Fathers In Training, and a college professor in social work at Saint Leo University. Over 18 years Brian has trained over 8,000 participants, locally and nationally, in the areas of anger management, conflict resolution, and effective communication skills. He has also worked with over 30 public and private organizations to create father friendly workplaces.