April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and Child Abuse Prevention Month, campaigns to raise awareness about sexual violence, and support survivors.
Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact. In California more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men report experiencing sexual violence, see California Department of Public Health (CDPH). “Sexual violence affects all communities. It is a health problem with deep roots in our society, and anyone can be a victim of sexual violence,” says Maria Elena Martinez, promotora, Empower Yolo, Rape Prevention & Education Program. Forms of sexual violence include sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault, sexual harassment, unwanted sexual contact/touching, sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Empower Yolo supports survivors of sexual violence at a high rate including children. In 2024, 369 survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking (of which 133 were children) received advocacy, accompaniment, and/or support services.
To help further combat sexual violence, Empower Yolo recently launched its new Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) program. RPE is a 5-year program funded by CDPH. The purpose of the program is to reduce violence in Yolo County, with a specific focus on preventing sexual assault.
The priority populations for this program are those that often are most vulnerable, including the Latino population, rural residents, non-US born, people with gender expansive and intersecting identities, those experiencing low socio-economic conditions, and the county’s Spanish-speaking population.
“Sexual assault and domestic violence are learned behaviors that are the result of often unspoken and unchallenged cultural norms in our society. If we organize our society differently, those behaviors can be unlearned or never learned in the first place,” says Martinez.
“Sexual assault is a difficult topic to talk about. Learning to talk about it openly is a step forward in breaking the silence about this type of rampant violence in our communities. Familiarizing ourselves with understanding the culture of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment is key to effectively acting on prevention. Preventing violence is everyone’s responsibility,” adds Martinez.
Empower Yolo is committed to preventing sexual violence through a community-driven approach that addresses economic security and transforms gender norms. The Community Engagement Plan of the RPE outlines strategies utilizing promotores (community health workers) and an advisory committee to support rape prevention and education efforts.
The plan focuses on increasing economic mobility by enhancing access to government programs, financial literacy, and transforming harmful gender norms through public education on healthy relationships and community education campaigns. Empower Yolo is working in collaboration with CommuniCare+OLE.
“CommuniCare+OLE has partnered with Empower Yolo on several initiatives for over 15 years, says Sara Gavin, Chief Behavioral and Community Health Officer for CommuniCare+OLE, an FQHC providing comprehensive health services in Yolo, Solano, and Napa Counties. CommuniCare+OLE employs a bilingual and bicultural promotores team that has established trust within the community and can provide culturally informed health information, navigation, and connection.
Utilizing the promotores program of both organizations is important to the success of RPE. “Promotores have a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths of our local communities. They are a reflection of the community; therefore, they are trusted to provide accurate and responsive information in a way that encourages the community’s successful engagement in the healthcare system. They act as a link between the community and valuable resources, connecting community members to services they might not have known otherwise,” says Gavin.
“The Rape Prevention Education program is crucial for our community,” says Fabiola Leon de Ruvalcaba, promotora, CommuniCare+OLE. “As a promotora, I can be a bridge between available resources and the people who need them the most. The role of the promotora is fundamental because we can offer culturally relevant support and guidance, which is essential for building trust and ensuring that information and services are accessible and effective.” Being a part of it allows us to educate and empower our community to create a safer and healthier environment for all,” says Leon de Ruvalcaba.
Leon de Ruvalcaba emphasizes how the collaboration benefits the community in several ways. “First, it makes health and prevention services more accessible to vulnerable populations including victims of abuse and violence. Additionally, the combination of resources and expertise from each organization ensures comprehensive care that encompasses physical health and emotional and behavioral support. This alliance also facilitates the implementation of mobile and community programs that can reach people in rural and hard-to-access areas,” she adds.
Currently, the RPE program is working to recruit community members interested in becoming promotores. The promotores will be trained to become trusted messengers on sexual violence prevention who can assist community members with information and referrals.
“Community engagement is a way to empower families, neighbors, and communities in violence prevention work. We hope to teach younger generations to understand how they can make a difference in stopping the culture of violence to create safe communities,” says Martinez. If you are interested in becoming a promotora or being on the advisory committee, please contact Empower Yolo at [email protected].
The community can support Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities and survivors in the following ways: 1) Empower Yolo is hosting its annual “Shower for the Shelter” for clients at our safe house. Donate new items during the in-person drop-off event on Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 441 D Street, Davis, or drop off donations any time during April in Davis or Woodland during office hours; see the list of needs at empoweryolo.org. 2) Join us for the DJUSD Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) talk outreach event on April 16, 6 – 7:30 pm for a discussion on “Understanding Sexual Assault and Supporting Students.” Gain valuable insights and learn about available support resources. 3) Wear jeans on Denim Day April 30 to make a social statement by wearing denim as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. 4) Donate to support survivors on Big Day of Giving, Thursday, May 1; early giving begins Thursday, April 17 at bigdayofgiving.org/empoweryolo. This year, your gift will have triple the impact! Thanks to the generosity of the Starkweather Family and the Empower Yolo Board of Directors, every $1 you give will be matched with $2 for the first $50,000 donated for Big Day of Giving 2025. 5) April is also National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 6-12, 2025. Join the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office and Yolo County Victim Services for the annual Crime Victims’ Tribute, which honors Yolo County crime victim-survivors, their families, and those who advocate on their behalf on Tuesday, April 8, 12 – 12:50 p.m. at the Woodland Opera House.
Empower Yolo is dedicated to combating sexual violence by promoting a community-driven strategy that enhances economic security and challenges harmful gender norms. With the valuable insights of promotores and the guidance of its advisory committee, the organization seeks to enhance rape prevention initiatives and advance educational efforts throughout the community. Together, we can end sexual violence.