To Benefit

Awareness = Action = Change
Together We Can End Bullying!

Saturday, May 5, 2012
Program: 10:00 – 12:00
Reception/Networking: 12:00 – 1:00
Federated Church – 1031 Thompson Way, Placerville

Having experienced the suicide of her son as a result of bullying, Lisa Berry believes that bullying is more rampant than anyone knows. She challenges us to toss out our preconceived ideas of what bullying means and take action.

The Center’s Executive Director, Matt Huckabay will follow Lisa’s story with statistics that will give the audience the scope of bullying that exists nationwide, why it is happening, and how far it has encroached into the lives of our children in El Dorado County.

Together, Lisa and Matt will throw out a lifeline of resources and action for our educational communities, faith communities, and our community at large.

Join us at for a post-presentation reception where light refreshments will be served. It’s a great chance to network with your friends and neighbors so you can “Be the change you want to see.”

Presenting
Lisa Berry – Founder of B.R.A.V.E. (Bullies Really Are Violating Everyone)
Matt Huckabay – Executive Director of the Center for Violence Free Relationships

Sponsored by the Neighbors Group of Federated Church. For more information, contact Pam Hagen at (530) 409-1124.

But how can we stop IT …. if we won’t even talk about IT ?

Sexual Assault… talk about IT .

Donate now and help us end IT

The Center received a letter recently from a high school aged boy who is participating in The Center’s My Strength Program.

“I learned that when I sometimes joke about women it is hurtful and I have avoided all sexist jokes since.  I know how to treat women right and have learned to stay away from harmful relationships.  My strength as a man is not for hurting and I have taken a vow to never hurt a woman as long as I live.”

Prevention education is the key to ending sexual violence. The Center’s My Strength program reaches out to high school boys and is designed to empower them to take a stand against sexual assault, gender discrimination and violence.  Her Strength is aimed at helping young girls define femininity, respect, and healthy relationships while supporting one another as they put the concepts into practice. The Center also provides a school-supported program for boys and girls in grades 5-8 called TEACH (Teens Educating Against Classroom Harassment).  TEACH is dedicated to eliminating bullying and classroom harassment by providing a safe environment to discuss feelings and learn about body image, self esteem, healthy relationships, conflict resolution and respectful communication.  Last year, The Center’s education programs reached 673 high school students, 580 middle school students, and 493 community college students.

 “It’s time…to talk about it. Connect. Respect. Prevent Sexual Violence.”

 We are asking for your support!

Together we CAN make a difference! The Center is asking you to make a pledge to join us for the 10^th Annual Community March to End Sexual Assault on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at Placerville’s Town Hall.  Your support is imperative to ending sexual violence and we invite you to participate at this event as a sponsor or team leader.  Or just come and walk with us to show your support.  Please use the enclosed form to support The Center’s work to end sexual violence.

Registration begins at 8:30 and the Placerville Rotary will provide a free pancake breakfast for all participants!

Sexual violence is happening in our community, but we can start …to talk about it!  Please join us on Saturday, April 7, 2012. We are looking forward to getting connected with you and working to make a difference in our community!

If you would like to sponsor this event, please click here for the Sponsorship form SAAM 2012       SAAM Flyer 2012       Click here for the Pledge Form

But how can we stop IT …. if we won’t even talk about IT ?

Sexual Assault… talk about IT .

Donate now and help us end IT

In 2004 the Office on Violence Against Women (VAWA), the U.S. Department of Justice, The Stalking Resource Center and the The National Center for Victims of Crime launched Stalking Awareness Month.  Every January communities all over the country promote stalking awareness by holding events and sharing information about this crime.

Read President Obama’s Proclamation

Please visit The Center’s stalking web page or The Office of Violence Against Women website for more information.

National Survey Reveals Sexual Violence Continues to be a Public Health Issue;

Rape Crisis Centers Need Support

Placerville, Calif. Dec. 15, 2011 — On December 14, 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), which revealed an increased need for rape crisis centers and rape prevention programs. NISVS is an ongoing, national representative survey that assesses experiences of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence among adult women and men in the United States.

The study shows that nearly 1 in 2 women (44.6%) and 1 in 5 men (22.2%) experience sexual violence other than rape throughout their lifetime. Approximately 1.3 million women reported being raped in the 12 months prior to taking the survey, which makes this a crucial time for The Center for Violence-Free Relationships to reach out to members of the community. The survey points out that the percentage of women who were raped as children or adolescents and also raped as adults was more than two times higher than the percentage among women without an early rape history. Thus, there is great need for The Center’s early prevention efforts that promote healthy, respectful relationships in families by fostering healthy parent-child relation­ships and developing positive family dynamics and emotionally supportive environments.

In 2010-2011, about 30,000 people accessed crisis intervention services from one of California’s 63 rape crisis centers. A majority of funding dedicated to rape crisis centers is delivered from the federal budget, not the state budget. The state of California only dedicated $45,000 to sexual violence programs in 2010-2011, which means that California allotted $1.50 for each individual who accessed services. The NISVIS survey shows that there are more than 2 million people in the California who are survivors of rape. Due to the small amount of funding provided by the state and cuts from federal funding streams, rape crisis centers struggle to reach all survivors. In order to increase the volume of services available, decrease the number of sexual assaults, and to help foster healthier communities, California needs to develop a funding initiative for rape crisis centers.

“The evidence is clear.  Rape prevention education programs work.  However, year after year prevention education funding continues to get reduced.  According to our local law enforcement, sexual assault of children continues to be one of the most reported crimes in our community,” stated The Center’s Executive Director Matt Huckabay.  “The short and long term impact experienced by sexual assault victims and their family members is devastating, pervasive and can last for decades and often times results in a whole host of mental, physical and emotional problems which are more costly and more difficult to treat than the cost of prevention.”

The social norms that contribute to violence can be changed, and rape crisis centers, such as The Center, need financial support to meet such a goal. It is important to continue addressing the beliefs, attitudes and messages that are deeply embedded in social structures that create a climate to condone sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence. For example, this can be done through programs such as My Strength which is a program for high school boys. MyStrength is a unique initiative focused on preventing first-time perpetration of sexual violence. The campaign works with young men and centers on the theme, “My Strength is Not for Hurting,” which emphasizes positive masculinity and enables men to utilize their strength to stand up and speak out against sexual violence.

As advocates, The Center believes that violence can be prevented and its impact can be reduced. The data contained within NISVS shows that sexual violence is not going away and that it continues to be a public health issue. The prevention and intervention of rape must be a priority in California and throughout the nation. This data can help inform the creation of a proactive paradigm in which communities can identify how to nurture future generations to be healthier and less violent.

View the complete report and toolkit online at www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs, and additional supporting resources at www.calcasa.org/nisvs.

The Grinch is nowhere to be seen… and The Center’s Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program is already in full swing again this year.  Last year The Center served 93 clients and 173 children who would have otherwise had a very unmerry holiday.  Many of our clients, especially those that are in our shelter have no family or friends nearby and so the Adopt-a-Family program is that much more important.

“I took my son and we left our home with the clothes on our backs.  I had no job, no family in the state, and we were in a shelter.  Talk about the makings for a dismal holiday.  The Center’s Adopt-a-Family program came to the rescue and saved the holiday season for me and my son.  He was blessed with toys and jammies and the donors were so great that I cried when I received gifts too.  Thank you all so much for giving us a wonderful Christmas blessing.”  ~ A Grateful Client

The Center for Violence-Free Relationships announces its 28th Annual Season for Change Gala on Saturday, November 5th, 2011 at Mercedes Benz of El Dorado Hills.

The Season for Change Gala is the premier food and wine event showcasing the best of El Dorado County and proceeds from this event are a major source of funds needed to provide services to families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and will help us meet the increased demand for violence prevention education programs in our schools.

Come and take part in the Silent and Live Auctions!  We’ll be doing a bidding frenzy this year and have changed the format of our program to make it ever more exciting!  This year we will have many wonderful auction items including sign-up parties like “Flip Flops N’ Lemon Drops” and “Cigars N’ Something Dead BBQ” (see below.)  The fun doesn’t stop there we have “Queen for a Year” and “King for a Year”, golf packages, exiting dinner and travel packages all waiting for you!  Come out to Mercedes Benz in El Dorado Hill for a night of fine food, fine wine and fun all for a good cause!   Click here to purchase tickets to the event! 

Cigars N’ Something Dead BBQ

Gentlemen, get ready for an evening of smoking n’ eatin’ at the home of Board Member Doug Hoisington. Sign up for this fun event with some friends – Doug will provide fine cigars, beer, wine and he’ll BBQ up something dead! Simple and a bit rowdy, this evening promises to be a great time to hang with great friends.

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 6 – 9 pm. 

Hurry, there are only 40 spots available.  Click here to register!

Flip Flops N’ Lemon Drops

Ladies! Sign up for this exciting poolside party hosted by The Center’s Board Vice President, Barbara Bossung in her lovely home in El Dorado Hills. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool with your friends and enjoying delicious lemon drop libations and savory nibbles. You will also be pampered by 3 certified massage therapists!

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012 from 4:00 – 6:30 pm.

Sign up early, only 40 spaces available!  Click here to register!