Crisis Line Couselors | Law Enforcement Training | SART | Sexual Harrassment | Prevention Education
Professional Training
Part of UASA’s advocacy and outreach effort is seeking out opportunities to educate professionals who will likely have an impact on the lives of those we serve. This includes parents and loved ones of survivors, law enforcement, attorneys, medical professionals, caregivers, teachers, school staff, grand juries, and more. Through such training, we are able to offer an important perspective of the challenges faced by survivors of violence as they navigate various systems and situations following their trauma. This is essential to creating a seamless and accessible safety net in our community, and a vitally important part in preventing future violence from occurring.
Crisis Line Counselors (Sexual Assault Victim Counselors)
In 2007, UASA trained and certified 37 Crisis Line Counselors.
"Sexual Assault Victim Counselor Training" is a statewide training required by the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) for any person who works on a Sexual Assault hotline.
Sexual Assault Victim Counselor training is offered 3 times a year to train volunteers to work on UASA’s 24/7-rape crisis line. The training covers crisis intervention skills, medical issues, law enforcement and court procedures, oppression and diversity issues, specific survivor issues, rape trauma syndrome, referral procedures and more.
This training is mandated and certified by the State of California. Trainings are 6-8 weeks long and are free with a 6-month commitment to work on the crisis line. Internships accepted. Sonoma State University offers credit for approved participation in the training. Space is limited. To maintain certification, continuing education is provided monthly. For more information, please call UASA’s Crisis Intervention Manager at: (707) 545-7270 ext.19, or email to intervention@uasasonoma.org.
In 2007, CLC volunteers, answered 1,675 Crisis Line Calls,
an average of 139.6 calls per month.
Law Enforcement Training
UASA’s Law Enforcement training is based on the belief that sexual assault survivors and the investigative process are best served by the thoughtful and timely intervention of law enforcement, mental and medical health communities.
Law Enforcement training is centered on the rights of victims as guaranteed by the following Penal Codes:
679.04- Inform the victim that he/she has the right to have a sexual assault victim advocate present at all interviews, court appearances and forensic medical exams.
264.2 (b) (1)- Law Enforcement shall immediately notify the local rape crisis center if a victim is being transported for a forensic medical exam weather or not a sexual assault victim advocate can be present with the victim.
If you are in Law Enforcement and are interested in this training to better understand how to work with sexual assault victims and to learn how UASA can assist, please contact intervention@uasasonoma.org.
If you feel your local Law Enforcement personnel would benefit from this training, please refer our services to the local Chief of Police or Personnel Division.
Prevention Education Volunteer Training
Trainings are held twice a year, in September and February. For more information on becoming a Prevention Education Volunteer, please contact the Prevention Education Manager at prevention@uasasonoma.org.
Sexual Assault Response Team–Helping Victims Become Survivors
The Sonoma County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) consists of specially trained professionals from agencies throughout the county who provide a community coordinated response to sexual assaults. Members of SART represent the fields of law enforcement, health care, advocacy/counseling, and prosecution and are employed in city and county governments, medical clinics, and nonprofits. SART identifies the barriers that keep sexual assault victims/survivors from coming forward and works to overcome those barriers through its sensitive, survivor-centered approach.
In individual cases, a three-person team consisting of law enforcement, a sexual assault nurse examiner, and an advocate respond to sexual assault victim reports, offering their services but leaving all decisions
to the victim/survivor. SART strives to provide the first response to all sexual assaults in Sonoma County to ensure a consistent, compassionate, and professional initial contact for victims.
The SART training describes the procedures and practices of police, medical and advocate to a sexual assault response. Training offered by the Sonoma County Department of Public Health jointly with United Against Sexual Assault. Contact the SART Coordinator at the Public Health Department to schedule a presentation. 707-565-4758.
Sexual Harrasement
Sexual Harassment (SH) is any unwelcome or unwanted sexual behavior of a sexual nature, related to gender, dating and physical appearance. Laws related to SH make it illegal to engage in behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or work environment. It is an illegal form of sex discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964, amended 1972), the equal protection clause of the 14 th Amendment of the Constitution, as well as numerous state and civil statutes.
Because of our awareness of the devastating impact of sexual harassment on the victim, and our commitment to preventing this serious problem, United Against Sexual Assault developed a training program to combat SH.
In the Sexual Harassment Awareness presentation, UASA provides information to middle school, high school and college students about the legal definitions of SH. Our focus is on teaching the importance of respect, acceptable school/work behavior and clear communication. We emphasize that this information is not based on personal opinions or values; rather we inform students that these are State and Federal laws, as well as school district policies that protect all students, faculty and staff from having to tolerate SH. Students are taught how to recognize SH by looking for three types of behaviors: Verbal, Non-Verbal and Physical.
If you would like to schedule a Sexual Harassment Awareness presentation, contact the Crisis Intervention Manager at 707-545-7270 extension 19 or email intervention@uasasonoma.org.