April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, honor survivors and advocate for change.
At Sonoma State University and throughout Sonoma County, students and organizations came together to promote healing and confront sexual violence.
On campus, student support services like Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Student Health Center, and the Title IX Office actively engage in prevention efforts and survivor care.
CAPS offers various workshops like ‘Keep a Seawolf SAFE,’ ‘WELLWolves’ and other support groups for students. The workshops focus on creating a safer environment on campus while the groups are meant to provide confidentiality in a supportive space.
Their web page explains that the group is a space to share experiences, support other members, feel empowered and regain a sense of control. Learning about common reactions to trauma will allow survivors to understand how this may impact their life, and learn skills that can help with coping and the healing process.
The student health center on campus provides resources and information for getting help if you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted.
Off campus, Sonoma County’s nonprofit Verity plays a leading role in providing crisis intervention and education. Founded in 1974, Verity is the county’s sole rape crisis center, offering a 24/7 crisis line, trauma counseling, medical accompaniment and community workshops.
“We make ourselves available to meet students on campus between classes,” said Joyce Galindo, the prevention education manager at Verity. “Verity has adapted its services to connect with college students by being present on campus.”
In the past year alone, Verity responded to more than 1,300 crisis calls and delivered nearly 6,100 prevention lessons to local students on topics like consent, healthy boundaries and bystander intervention.
Sexual violence affects millions across the country. According to the California Department of Justice, more than 10,000 rapes were reported statewide in 2022. Nationally, over 53% of women and over 29% of men have experienced sexual violence.
These numbers underscore the need for continued education, survivor support and community accountability.
Students can take action by attending awareness events either on or off campus, volunteering with organizations like Verity, or learning how to support peers experiencing trauma. Verity’s volunteer program trains students to become crisis line counselors and prevention educators.
“Our programs [reach] everyone, from youth, parents, and the general public because in order to create a safer community takes a village,” said Galindo. “We make sure everything we teach is trauma-informed and culturally relevant, so people really connect with it. It’s not just about awareness but it’s about making real change.”
Students seeking confidential help can reach CAPS at 707 664-2153 or call Verity’s 24/7 crisis line at 707 545-7273.
