According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime; and 47% of all transgender people have experienced sexual assault at least once.

NSVRC’s 2024 theme for Sexual Assault Awareness Month – “Building Connected Communities” – is a framework that fits well with the work that Public Health is doing to address sexual violence through its Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), Domestic Violence Council (DVC), and Office of Women’s Health (OWH). The work of these offices, implemented in collaboration with community partners, human trafficking and sexual assault service providers, focuses on collecting and sharing data to inform efforts, elevating prevention, intervention and trauma informed care best practices, increasing sexual assault awareness, improving access to services with a focus on vulnerable populations, and upstream efforts to reduce its occurrence.

In 2022, the Los Angeles County Commission for Women’s Ad Hoc Committee made the recommendation to establish a Los Angeles County Sexual Assault Council to coordinate a countywide response to survivors of sexual violence. In 2024 this work will move forward under the auspices of the Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention. The first phase of implementation will focus on partner engagement and development of a strategic plan. OVP will work alongside OWH, DVC, a diverse group of county and community partners, and community advocates and survivors to identify immediate sexual violence prevention needs and barriers and examine service accessibility for sexual assault victims to help ensure that their needs are met. The second phase will focus on executing the work outlined in the strategic plan such as improving data collection and analysis; policy development and coordination; and implementing violence prevention programming. The CEO reports can be found here – CEO board report.

Violence is preventable. Stopping sexual abuse, assault, and harassment before they happen requires us to work together to support healthy, safe, and respectful behaviors and environments. To build truly connected communities, we must start with community accessible services and support and expand the network of service providers. OVP looks forward to re-establishing the Los Angeles County Sexual Assault Council and bringing together a diverse group of partners around a shared vision to reduce the incidence of sexual violence and create easier access to services and resources for survivors. Together, we will build a coordinated and comprehensive approach that is culturally relevant, and trauma informed that will ultimately benefit everyone in the community, not just survivors. When it comes to sexual violence, everyone has a role to play to help build a community that is safer, inclusive, and equitable. Below are some resources and ways for you to get involved.

• Raise Awareness: The National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Participate in Denim Day | April 24, 2024: 5 Ways to Participate in Denim Day and Denim Day Rally & Press Conference
• Learn More: Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services  and The Rape, Abuse, and Incest Network (24/7 Confidential Support Hotline)

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673.