Volare Community Survey: Survivors’ Experiences of Safety, Justice, & Healing
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this community survey for Volare. Volare is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, dedicated to creating equitable healing and dignified experiences for people who have experienced crime. Your voice will help inform programs, policies, and public education efforts that center survivors’ needs and promote both justice and healing for individuals, families, and communities.

A few important things before you begin:

  • Your participation is completely voluntary. You may choose not to participate or skip any question.

  • Your responses are confidential. Because this survey supports a community-needs assessment, Volare may use the aggregate or de-identified responses in public reports or to inform programs and public education efforts.

  • Some questions may bring up difficult memories. Please take care of yourself, and remember you may stop at any time. Should you need support, please access the national victim hotline. 

  • This survey includes multiple-choice, scaled, and open-ended questions.

  • The survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

  • We ask that you complete this survey by February 28, 2026.

  • Please feel free to share the survey link with others who you want us to hear from! 

As a thank you, after completing this survey you will be given the option to enter a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card.

Note on language: We use the term “survivor” and "victim" throughout this survey to reference someone who has experienced harm from crime, recognizing that people may identify differently. We also refer to the person who committed the crime as "the person who caused harm." 
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Section 1: Experiences with Crime
Have you ever experienced a crime?
Clear selection
Approximately when did the crime occur?
Was the crime committed by:
What type of crime(s) did you experience?
Did you know the person who caused you harm?
Clear selection
(If yes) What was the nature of your relationship with that person?
Clear selection
At the time of the crime, was the person who caused harm:
Clear selection
Section 2: Interactions with Systems and Services 
Which groups or entities did you interact with as a result of the crime?
Of the groups you selected above, which were the most helpful? (Choose up to 3)
How was your case handled? (Check all that apply)
Did your case go through a resentencing or “Second Look” process? (Some jurisdictions (like DC) allow people to return to court after serving a significant portion of their sentence for a judge to review the original sentence and consider factors such as rehabilitation, growth, or changes in the law.)
Clear selection
(If yes) During that process, were you informed that you had the right to speak with:
Overall, how satisfied were you with how your case was handled?  
Dissatisfied
Very satisfied
Clear selection
What experiences or issues most influenced your answer?
Section 3: Justice, Healing, & Safety - Your Experience
Did the way your case was handled give you a sense of justice?  
Clear selection
Please explain what influenced your answer above:
Did the way your case was handled give you a sense of healing?  
Clear selection
Please explain what influenced your answer above:
Section 4: What is Safety, Justice, & Healing
Which description best aligns with your idea of safety?
Clear selection
If you answered "something else" please explain here:
Which description best aligns with your idea of justice?
Clear selection
If you answered "something else" please explain here:
Which description best aligns with your idea of healing?
Clear selection
If you answered "something else" please explain here:
Section 5: Restorative Justice
By Restorative Justice, we mean an approach that focuses on repairing harm and meeting the needs of survivors, the person who caused harm, and the community through informed consent, dialogue, and accountability.  
  Are you familiar with Restorative Justice?  
Clear selection
Did you participate in a Restorative Justice process as a survivor?
Clear selection
(If yes) Which program or process did you participate in?
(If yes) What did participating in the program offer you?
Would you recommend this process to other survivors?
Clear selection
If you did not have the opportunity to engage in a Restorative Justice program, if offered the opportunity, would you have considered participating in a professionally facilitated process to discuss the harm you had experienced and how it could be repaired?
Clear selection
Section 6: What Needs to Change
Based on your experience / perspective, which changes would most support survivors’ healing? (Select up to 3)
If you answered "something else" please explain:
Which changes would most support community safety? (Select up to 3)
If you answered "something else" please explain:
Section 7: Final Reflections
What has helped you feel safe—or would help you feel safe if available now?  

What made you feel justice was served—or would help you feel that justice was served now?

What supported your healing—or could support your healing now?

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences or views on safety, justice, or healing?

Section 8: Follow-Up & Demographics (Optional)
What is your age?
What is your gender?
What is your race?
What is your education level?
What is your city / state of residence?
Would you be willing to participate in a one-on-one interview with Volare (with compensation for your time)?  
Clear selection
(If yes) What is your name and the best way to contact you?  Providing contact or demographic information is optional and will not be connected to your survey responses.
As a thank you for completing this survey would you liked to be entered you into a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card?
Clear selection

(If yes) Please provide the email address you would like us to use to send the gift card if you are selected in the drawing.

Thank you for sharing your time and experiences. Your voice matters and will be helpful as Volare continues to partner with communities to create restorative ecosystems! 
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