I Need Help

All services are free, confidential and non-discriminatory

Emergency Response

Shelter Services

Court Advocacy & Accompaniment

Personal Advocacy & Accompaniment

Emergency Response

Evidentiary Exams

If you have been sexually assaulted, you may obtain an evidentiary exam (aka a rape kit) at no cost to you. See below for more information.
All evidentiary exams are performed in Sacramento, CA.
If you decide to obtain an evidentiary exam, your advocate will be there every step of the way for emotional support and to explain the procedures involved.

What Is A Rape Kit?

A rape kit is a package of items used by medical personnel for gathering and preserving physical evidence following an allegation of sexual assault. The evidence collected from the victim can aid the criminal rape investigation and the prosecution of a suspected assailant.

Who performs the evidentiary exam?

The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). The SART team is composed of specially trained medical personnel, law enforcement and a counseling advocate who work together to help the victim through this exam in the least traumatic way possible.

Where are the exams performed?

The BEAR Center, Sacramento, CA. The Bridging Evidence Assessment & Resources (BEAR) Center is a joint program between Sutter Medical Foundation and Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento. The BEAR clinic performs evidentiary sexual assault exams.

How long is the evidence kept?

California law requires evidence to be kept for 20 years, or until the age of 40 for victims who were under the age of 18 at the time of the assault.

Legal Advocacy and Accompaniment

We offer a variety of legal help and assistance.

Advocates will help with exploring legal options such as restraining orders and can also provide local legal referrals.
Advocates are available to accompany survivors during court and mediation proceedings.

Restraining Orders

Your advocate can discuss your options to determine if a restraining order would be beneficial. They will help you with filling out the restraining order paperwork to be submitted to the Court. Your advocate will also be available to accompany you to any hearings or other court proceedings.

Our advocates are available to accompany survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault through medical, legal and law enforcement processes. In some of these situations, the counselor may also act as an advocate for victims, giving them the support to navigate through unfamiliar territory.

Do you have a hearing date coming up? Let your advocate know!

Housing Case Management

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Confidential 90-Day Shelter

We provide emergency confidential shelter where necessary for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and their children who are in immediate danger.

We have a local Safe House and clients may stay up to 90 days after their intake. We also provide limited motel room stays to clients on an as needed basis.

We are also very happy that our Safe House is now pet friendly! If you have a pet and are in need of our Safe House services, please let your advocate know at your intake.

Peer Counseling and Advocacy

Our certified and compassionate advocates are here 24/7 for survivors, family and friends.

24/7 Crisis Line: (530)-272-3467

During Business Hours – M, T, W, F 9am-5pm TH 9am-3pm (Excluding holidays)

Text: (530) 290-6555
Live Web Chat – Click here

Client Service Center – M-F 9am-5pm (excluding holidays)

1020 McCourtney Road, Suite C

Grass Valley, CA 95949

No appointment is necessary!

Support Groups

We offer in-person support groups!

Our support groups are free, confidential and facilitated by certified peer counselors.

Additional Resources

For Youth

Did you know…

- - Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
  - One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.
  - One in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Source: loveisrespect.org/resources/dating-violence-statistics/

For Family and Friends

Are you concerned that someone you care about is experiencing abuse? Maybe you’ve noticed some warning signs, including:

- - Their partner puts them down in front of other people
  - They are constantly worried about making their partner angry
  - They make excuses for their partner’s behavior
  - Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive
  - They have unexplained marks or injuries
  - They’ve stopped spending time with friends and family
  - They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality

For LGBTQIA+

Domestic violence and sexual assault can effect persons of all sexual orientations and gender identifications.

Quick Statistics

- 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/ or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime, as opposed to 35% of heterosexual women.
- 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, in comparison to 29% of heterosexual men.
- In a study of male same sex relationships, only 26% of men called the police for assistance after experiencing near-lethal violence.
- Transgender victims are 68% more likely to experience intimate partner violence, sexual assault and physical assault.

For BIPOC

For Elders

Elder abuse includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment.

Elder abuse can effect all seniors and is highly underreported.

Perpetrators of elder abuse include children, other family members, and spouses — as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities.

If you suspect you or a loved one is being abused, our advocates are trained in all aspects of abuse against the elderly and are there to listen and support.

Do you have questions or need assistance? Contact us!

(530) 272-3467 or [email protected]