YWCA of Silicon Valley - Assault Prevention and Intervention

Assault Prevention and Intervention

The YWCA of Silicon Valley Rape Crisis Center currently offers programs about date rape, dating violence, sexual harassment, and self-esteem. We are always developing new programs to meet the needs of the community. Training and education are crucial steps in crisis intervention.

Prevention information and education programs can be scheduled for community organizations, colleges/universities, business and industry, social service agencies, neighborhood crime prevention meetings, senior citizen groups, church groups. Additionally, in-service training for the professional community on the issues of victimology, identifying and reporting of child sexual abuse, and crisis intervention are available.

We also offer teens' and women's Self Defense Workshops for basic awareness, assertiveness education, and physical techniques that are designed to teach self-respect, acknowledgement of rights, and tools to protect those rights. Workshop fees and times vary; teens and women 13 and older are encouraged to sign up.

Protection and Safety Tips:

Educate yourself about the realities of sexual assault. Knowledge can be a powerful tool in abuse prevention!

Argue against dangerous gender roles and stereotypes that can lead to and perpetuate sexual violence.

Believe in your right to make choices and decisions about your body and to have those decisions respected.

Trust your instincts. Pay attention and listen to your "inner voice" that tells you when something is wrong or feels unsafe.

Communicate physical and sexual boundaries clearly and assertively. Your body belongs to you. You never lose the right to say "no" and can withdraw your consent in a sexual situation at any time.

Be cautious when choosing to use alcohol or drugs, as they can increase the risk of sexual violence.

Get involved and participate in the movement against sexual violence.

Know that sexual assault is never the victim's fault, regardless of the situation they were in.


	Assault Prevention & Intervention

	Sexual Assault Counseling

	Legal Advocacy

	School-Age Programs

	MyStrength

For more information on Self-Defense Workshops or Assault Prevention and Intervention, please e-mail Leandra Peloquin, Client Services Coordinator, or call her at (408) 295-4011 ext. 208.

"When I was only 14 years old, the Rape Crisis Center came out to my school for a presentation. That was the first time anyone had talked to me about sexual abuse. As a result of that presentation, I was able to report my abuse and begin to deal with my issues, For that, I am ever so grateful!"
Name Withheld

Every 2 ½ minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted.

Sexual assault is not a women's issue, it is a human issue.

Sexual assault happens as frequently during the day as it does at night.

90% of sexual molestations are committed by someone known and trusted by the child. 75 - 85% of molestations are committed by family members.

Click here for a copy of the recently published Sexual Assault Prevention, Beginning The Dialogue from the CDC.