Our Services

Peer Counseling

Peer counseling is offered for individuals in need of Sexual Assault counseling and Domestic
Violence counseling. All counselors and volunteers are Office of Emergency Services certified
with 66 hours of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence training. Individual Professional counseling
is available to rape survivors.

Support Groups

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Support Groups are offered to women in the community on
a weekly basis. Childcare for groups is available; however, please call in advance because space is limited.

Courtroom and hospital accompaniment for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence victims

Advocates are trained to perform both courtroom, hospital and police station accompaniments.
The advocate's role is to provide support, advocacy, and additional services.

Resource and Referral

Individuals seeking resources and referrals to agencies mostly, within Calaveras County, can contact
or come into the office.

Hotline/Crisis Line

The Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence hotline (209) 736-4011 is available 24 Hours a day,
7 days a week. Trained sexual assault peer counselors are always available for support, information
and referral.

Prevention Education

Personal Safety, Interpersonal Safety Prevention, and Self-defense education presentations are provided
to students attending Calaveras County schools.
Presentations are focused in an age-appropriate manner. Self-defense education is also offered at various
times to women living in Calaveras County.

Temporary Restraining Order

Assistance is available for sexual assault and sexual harrasment to protect you from your assailant. Along
with court accompaniment. If you are in need of assistance, please call for an appointment or come into
the office.

 

If you or someone you know becomes a victim of sexual assault, remember to seek immediate help and
the care you deserve. Getting medical attention is extremely important to ensure that you are physically
alright and to collect evidence in case you decide you want to go to court.

It is important to know that right after a sexual assault, do not bathe, shower or drink anything. Wrap
up in something warm and immediately call someone for help; a family member, friend, HRC CCC
advocate, or law enforcement officer.

HRC Calaveras Crisis Center offers support and counseling services to you. Remember, you have a
right to all of your feelings.

 

Victims of Sexual Assault have legal rights:

To report the attack to law enforcement and expect that all avenues within the law be pursued to
apprehend the offender.

To request a female officer.

To make a report, but does not have to proceed with the prosecution.

To restitution through the Victim's of Violent Crime Program.

If over the age of 18, to do nothing at all.

 

Same-Sex Sexual Assault:

Same-sex sexual assault is rarely reported. Anyone who experiences a sexual assault must struggle
with the decision of whether or not to report it to law enforcement. Someone who is assaulted by
the same-sex may face additional barriers to reporting or even talking about the assault. These
barriers may be related to their sexual identity or to the gender of their assailant. In either case,
there may be legitimate concerns about the assault being taken seriously.
They may experience homophobia, lack of support and denial.

YOU HAVE RIGHTS

If you decide to report:

You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect by all police medical and legal personnel
you encounter.

You have the right to be treated without prejudice regarding your sexual orientation or the gender
of your assailant.

You have the right to have your name kept confidential.

You have the right to have your reactions to the rape treated as normal, not pathological or crazy.

You have the right to heal at your own pace.

You have the right to have an advocate from HRC Calaveras Crisis Center accompany you for support,
if you choose.

If you decide not to report:

Reach out! No one should have to go through the healing process alone. Talking to friends or family can
make a big difference. Advocates and counselors at the HRC Calaveras Crisis Center are also available
to support you.

REMEMBER, IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT!

Self blame, guilt and shame are common reactions to sexual assault, but nothing you do could possibly
justify rape. Nothing.

 

HEALING TAKES TIME

After a sexual assault occurs, many survivors feel fear, anger, shame, confusion, guilt, or depression.
Some people also have trouble eating or sleeping, or experience nightmares, mood swings, and other
physical symptoms. These feelings and reactions are normal. Talking to someone about your experiences
can help.