SAFETY ALERT: Computer use is traceable and Internet activities can never be fully erased from your hard drive. If you think your computer use might be monitored please find a safer place to surf the web, like at a friend's house or the public library. Or call the 24 hour domestic violence hotline at (707) 255-NEWS (6397) if you are in Napa County or (800) 799-7233 if you are outside of Napa County. If you are viewing our site and need to get away quickly to an unrelated site, click the red ESCAPE button in the upper right corner and you will be redirected. Please test this feature on your computer RIGHT NOW to ensure you are comfortable using it.

En Español Continue

ALERTA DE SEGURIDAD: El uso de una computadora puede ser identificado y actividades en la internet nunca pueden ser totalmente eliminadas del disco duro. Si piensas que tu uso de computadora posiblemente esta siendo monitoriado favor de encontrar un  lugar seguro donde puedas navegar la red social, por ejemplo la casa de una amistad confiable o la biblioteca publica. O llama a nuestra  linea de Violencia Domestica disponible las 24 horas al 707-255-NEWS (6397) si te encuentras en el Valle de Napa, o a este (800) 799-7233 si te encuentras fuera del Condado de Napa. Si estas visitando nuestra pagina y necesitas salirte rapidamente a una pagina no relacionada, oprime el boton rojo de ESCAPE arriba en la esquina de la mano derecha y seras desviado/a. Favor de probar este función en su computadara AHORA MISMO para asegurarse que se sienta comodo/a usando esta función.

Los servicios de NEWS están disponibles para todos, independientemente del estatus migratorio.

In English Continuar
707-255-NEWS (6397)

24 HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE HELP LINE
LINEA DE AYUDA LAS 24 HORAS PARA VIOLENCIA DOMESTICA Y ABUSO SEXUAL

1-800-799-7233

OUTSIDE OF NAPA COUNTY
FUERA DEL CONDADO DE NAPA

Contact Us

SAVS Information & Resources

What is sexual assault?

  • Any sexual activity which is not freely chosen by the victim. INCLUDED are exhibitionism, molestation, rape, incest, sodomy and oral copulation.
  • Hurtful, embarrassing, and difficult to talk about. No one should try to solve this problem alone.
  • A crime that can happen anywhere to anyone—male/female, young/old, any race and any sexual orientation.
  • Committed by friends, family members, dates, acquaintances or strangers.
  • A crime of power and control, not love, lust or passion.
  • Not your fault.
  • If you are unsure, take this quiz: https://www.garbo.io/quizzes/was-i-sexually-assaulted-quiz
    • This quiz is mobile friendly
    • Trigger warning: this quiz contains language of a sexual nature and can be upsetting for some folks.
    • If you are would like to talk about your experience, please call our 24-hour Helpline 707-255-NEWS or 707-255-6397

Facts

  • DNA evidence on the body can last from 12 hours up to 7 days.
    • Tip: If you choose to have a free sexual assault exam, it is recommended to have it done within 48-hours
  • DNA and other kinds of evidence may break down if exposed to heat, water, or other materials.
    • Tip: If you choose to have a free sexual assault exam, it is recommended not to shower, brush teeth, eat or drink, and save clothes inside a paper bag, not plastic.

Myths vs. Facts:

  • Myth: If a victim of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they wanted it.
    • Fact: Many survivors experience tonic immobility or a “freeze response” during an assault where they physically cannot move or speak.
  • Myth: A person cannot sexually assault their partner or spouse
    • Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by intimate partner in their lifetime
  • Myth: Men are not victims of sexual violence
    • Fact: 1.5% of all men have been raped and 47% of bisexual men have experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime.
  • Myth: People with disabilities are at low risk for sexual assault
    • Fact: People with disabilities are victims of sexual assault twice as much as people without disabilities
  • Myth: Wearing revealing clothing, behaving proactively, or drinking a lot means the victim was “asking for it”
    • Fact: The perpetrator selects the victim-the victim’s behavior or clothing choice do not mean that they are consenting to sexual activity.

Credit: Myths and Facts | Resilience (www.ourresilience.org)

 

What are my rights?

You have the right to:

  • Choose what happens to your own body
    • It’s your choice to
      • Get a physical exam,
        • And any offered medical intervention such as STD prevention and/or emergency contraction
      • Be part of a criminal case, or
      • Report the assault
    • No matter what you choose, you keep your rights
  • Know
    • You can
      • Have a 24-hour confidential sexual assault counselor (victim advocate) or other support person(s) with you during any exam or interview.
      • Ask for a Court Order to protect you.
        • For protection from the attacker right away, ask a law enforcement officer for an Emergency Protective Order.
        • Learn about Civil Protection Orders here: www.courts.ca.gov/1260.htm 
      • Ask about test results and evidence from the assault.
        • Note: results available after investigation/report is complete
      • Ask the officer for a case number and how to find out what happens next.
      • If you need help to pay for your costs related to the assault, learn more and apply at: www.victims.ca.gov/victims/howtoapply.aspx 
      • Note: You may have to take part in the criminal case to qualify for CalVCB.
        • SAVS advocates will help facilitate collecting additional information and documentation to justify the claim if possible.
      • Get Answers
        • Was your evidence analyzed within 18 months?
        • Was the evidence used to make a DNA profile of your attacker?
        • Was a DNA profile entered into the law enforcement database? Did they find matches to the profiles?
      • Information, including:
        • A free copy of the crime reports. (Ask in writing to your local law enforcement agency.)
        • The attacker’s sex offender registry information, if convicted.
        • Evidence from the rape kit. The rape kit must be:
          • Taken to the lab and analyzed within 24 months, and
        • Kept for 20 years, or until you turn 40, if you were under 18 when the assault happened.

For more information, or to ask the above questions, contact the California Department of Justice’s Victims’ Services Unit (VSU) by phone at (877) 433-9069 or by email at victimservices@doj.ca.gov. VSU requires a police report number or kit number to conduct this search. Alternatively, you can contact the local law enforcement agency that handled your case.

 

What if I don’t want to report to or cooperate with law enforcement?

SAVS Advocates will never force or coerce you to report to law enforcement – See “What are my rights?” above. Our job is to advocate for you to get what you need. If you want to report, we will help you do that. If you don’t want to report, we will explore other ways that you can find healing and safety.

               Click HERE for a look at different reporting options and circumstances.

 

I’m a parent of a young child. How do I talk to them about sexual assault and safety?

Being a parent of a young child can be one of the scariest times in a parent’s life. There are dangers outside of our control and often times, we have to leave our children in the care of another person. While we cannot always guarantee safety, there are things we can do to reduce the risk for our children.

 

How Can I Help?

Become a SAVS Volunteer! – See our Volunteer Page to learn more.

Call to Volunteer: 707-252-3687

Get involved with Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) each year during April. Click HERE to see last year's SAAM events and info.