Discussing crisis counseling, awareness campaigns, cultural roadblocks, and public stigma surrounding sexual assault and domestic violence with Natalie and Jessica, both interns with Safer, which is Cal Poly’s confidential advocacy, education and support resource for addressing sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Natalie also works for RISE SLO which is a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention and treatment services to survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence and their loved ones. We also discuss how the terminology surrounding gender violence can hinder victims from seeking help because they feel what happened to them (stalking, emotional abuse, cyber-bullying, etc.) does not fit under the umbrella term of “relationship violence.” Ultimately, both RISE and Safer offer victims help and hope to live an empowered life.

RISE: http://www.riseslo.org/

Safer: https://safer.calpoly.edu/

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