Standing Together to End Sexual Assault

FEATURE FRIDAY This student illustrated all the information we cover when discussing preventing sexual assault - strict gender roles, victim blaming, and the statistics in relation to gender and age.

In case you missed last night's Vigil for Freedom! Learn more about the work that is being done in our county to support survivors of human trafficking and how you can get involved.

(Este mensaje seguirá en español) A message to our followers: Although we appreciate your communication through our social media platforms, we are unable to provide services through social media due to confidentiality purposes. If you need support and would like to speak with one of our advocates or have any questions about our services please call our confidential 24-hour hotline at 805.564.3696.... Also, please note that messages, comments, or mentions that we receive on here are checked sporadically so we may not get back to you right away. Thank you! ______________________________________________________________ Un mensaje a nuestros seguidores: Aunque apreciamos su comunicación a través de nuestras plataformas de redes sociales, no podemos brindar servicios a través de las redes sociales debido a fines de confidencialidad. Si necesita apoyo y desea hablar con uno de nuestros consejeros o tiene alguna pregunta sobre nuestros servicios, llame a nuestra línea directa confidencial las 24 horas al 805.564.3696. Tenga en cuenta que los mensajes, comentarios o menciones que recibimos aquí serán revisados esporádicamente y es posible que no nos comuniquemos con usted de inmediato. ¡Gracias!

Warning: Censored Curse Words The psychology behind victim-blaming and what we can do to challenge it when discussing sexual assault. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pij_4PNuAaA&t=82s

FEATURE FRIDAY! This student focused on the many ways people express or deny consent. Just because someone didn't say "no" does not mean that there's consent, we have to take these other statements as a no and not as an invitation to convince them! ... If there's silence, you ask for consent to see if you get that enthusiastic and direct "yes".

Join us on January 20th from 7:00pm - 8:00pm for a Vigil for Freedom to honor survivors of human sex trafficking!

Our Youth Educator, Holly Scala, wants to invite all middle school/high school youth to our weekly Youth Virtual Drop-In Center - a virtual space to hangout and connect with peers! Drop-in every Friday from 4pm-6pm! No registration is needed, just follow this Zoom link https://csun.zoom.us/j/82539840190

Please join the SB County Human Trafficking Task Force, SB ACT, Standing Together to End Sexual Assault - STESA, North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Cen...ter, Good Samaritan Services, What is Love Teens, the Interfaith Collaborative against Human Trafficking (Santa Barbara County), and more in January 2021 for Human Trafficking Awareness Month! Join us to learn ways to get involved and join the fight to end trafficking in SB County. #SBCHTTF #humantraffickingawareness

"Feature Friday" - Every Friday we will be featuring visual media created by youth in our community that bring awareness to topics related to sexual assault! Our first feature was created by a student at San Marcos High School and depicts the many questions and phrases a survivor hears when disclosing their assault. These responses silence survivors and make them wrongfully feel that their assault is their fault.

It is with your generosity that we continue to provide support to survivors of sexual assault and their significant others and fulfill our mission to eradicate sexual violence from our communities. We appreciate your contributions this #GivingTuesday! You can donate at https://sbstesa.org/new-donate/ We would like to extend a thank you from all of us at STESA for your support in ending sexual assault and believing survivors!... Take a look at our work this past year in our 2020 Annual Report https://sbstesa.org//u/2020/11/STESA-AR-20-for-website.pdf

"Thank you Montecito Bank & Trust! Wonderful event on Monday, missed seeing everyone in person. Thank you for your continued support!" - Elsa Granados, STESA Executive Director

During a recent discussion around boundaries with a high school classroom, the students expressed the discomfort they have felt when being told to hug relatives. Some expressed feeling like, in that moment, they weren't in control of their boundaries or that if they didn't hug their relative then there would be negative consequences from parents or other family members. Others expressed that they were comfortable hugging the relative only after interacting with them throughout the event. Coercing children and youth into physical interactions, even with family, sends a harmful message about consent and bodily autonomy. This article does a fantastic job of addressing the topic with kids and youth as well as with relatives.