First Step: A Response to Domestic Violence is a private, non profit organization that provides safe emergency shelter, support services, counseling, and resources to survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. We are the only local nonprofit that provides comprehensive services including safe shelter to survivors in the City of Harrisonburg and the County of Rockingham and have done so for over forty years.

First Step welcomes and respects all survivors of intimate partner or relationship violence, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, age, gender, disability, national origin, religion, language proficiency, citizenship status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.