The theme “Together We Act, United We Change” highlights the importance of working together to address and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. This campaign focuses on enhancing public understanding of sexual violence, amplifying the voices of survivors, and empowering us to work together to promote the safety and well-being of others. Everyone in our communities deserves to live in safe and supportive environments where they are treated with respect. When our workplaces, schools, and communities work together to uphold safety and respect, we make progress in preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.

Acting With Purpose

Education is the first step to action, empowering our communities to be part of the solution. This campaign works to shift the ways our communities understand, talk about, and respond to sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. We can challenge harmful misconceptions and foster safer communities by learning and acting together. This campaign also seeks to unite us in uplifting the voices of survivors—particularly those most vulnerable in our communities—to build a stronger movement. This campaign aims to develop a movement where younger generations feel included and encouraged to participate and shape a better future. 

Together, we act with purpose! United, we have the power to change the world for the better.

Understanding Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Harassment

Sexual violence impacts everyone. Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, and people who commit sexual abuse, assault, and harassment exist in all of our communities. This underscores why it’s important for all of us to care about sexual violence and take steps to promote the safety and well-being of others.

Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes any type of unwanted sexual contact — including sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.

Forms of sexual violence include:

• Rape or sexual assault
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual abuse
• Unwanted sexual contact/touching
• Sexual exploitation and trafficking,
• Exposing one’s genitals or naked body to others without consent,
• Nonconsensual image sharing and/or coercion (including AI-generated imagery) 
• Words and actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent

Statistics show:

• Over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence  (Chen, et al., 2023).
• More than 1 and 4 non-Hispanic Black women (29%) in the United States were raped in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
• 1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
• More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016).
• 32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence (Tomsa et al., 2021).

References 

Basile, K. C., Smith, S. G., Kresnow, M., Khatiwada S., & Leemis, R. W. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 report on sexual violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/nisvsreportonsexualviolence.pdf 

Chen, J., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Smith, S. G., Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Basile, K. C., and Kresnow, M. (2023). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2016/2017: Report on Victimization by Sexual Identity. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prevention Institute & National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2021). A Health Equity Approach to Preventing Sexual Violence. https://www.nsvrc.org/resource/2500/health-equity-approach-preventing-sexual-violence  

Rosay, A. B. (2016, September). Violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men,. NIJ Journal, 277. National Institute of Justice. http://nij.gov/journals/277/Pages/violence-againstamerican-indians-alaska-natives.aspx 

Tomsa, R., Gutu, S., Cojocaru, D., Gutiérrez-Bermejo, B., Flores, N., & Jenaro, C. (2021). Prevalence of sexual abuse in adults with intellectual disability: Systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1980. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041980 

The post Sexual Assault Awareness Month first appeared on SacramentoHelp.info.

Sacramento County is recognizing and celebrating social workers as part of National Social Work Month. This national recognition takes place in March and honors the contributions of social workers who have dedicated their lives to helping families thrive. This year’s theme is Social Work: Compassion + Action. 

Sacramento County employs hundreds of social workers in different departments, including the Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS) and the Department of Human Assistance (DHA)​. DCFAS social workers demonstrate compassion and action by working in the community every day, providing support for children, families, older adults and people with disabilities. Their work ensures that the most vulnerable members of our community receive the care, resources and protection they need to lead safe and healthy lives.

Having worked as a social worker herself, Sacramento County’s Director of DCFAS, Shelby Boston, recognizes the importance of compassionate social work.

“During Social Work Month, we celebrate the profound impact of social workers who embody compassion in their actions every day. Their dedication to uplifting individuals, strengthening families and empowering communities reflects the heart of our mission. By combining empathy with purposeful efforts, social workers drive meaningful change and provide hope where it’s needed most,” said Shelby.

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Social work dates back more than 120 years. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the first social work class at a university was offered in 1898. Now, hundreds of thousands of social workers are employed in the U.S. While the job has changed over time, the mission to serve vulnerable community members remains the same in Sacramento County and nationally. 

To learn more you can visit the National Association of Social Workers website. ​

The post Celebrating National Social Work Month first appeared on SacramentoHelp.info.

Every September, National Recovery Month shines a spotlight on the power of substance use and mental health services to transform lives. In 2023, we’re on a mission to inspire people across the nation, inviting them to witness the strength and resilience of individuals living in recovery. It’s a time to support those battling substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders and encourage them to seek the help they deserve. Throughout this month-long celebration, we’re here to remind you that prevention works, treatment is effective, and recovery is not just a possibility – it’s a reality.

Recovery Month is not only about acknowledging the victories but also about championing evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. We take pride in the emergence of a vibrant recovery community and salute the dedication of service providers, peer workers, and community members nationwide who make recovery a tangible goal. Each year, Recovery Month adopts a theme to spread its message and share the triumphs of treatment and recovery. This year’s tagline couldn’t be more fitting: “Hope is real. Recovery is real.”

Let’s come together this Recovery Month to celebrate the millions of Americans who are on their journey to recovery from substance use and addiction. We also extend a heartfelt invitation to those who are still struggling to seek the support they need. Every life and voice matters, and we stand by you.

We want to take a moment to honor and celebrate the invaluable partners and collaborations that work alongside Sacramento County Behavioral Health to provide essential services and support to our fellow citizens grappling with substance use and mental health challenges.

Here’s How You Can Get Involved:

• Explore educational and multimedia resources on trending substances in our community at www.safersacramento.com. Let’s make informed choices and reduce potential harm from alcohol and substance use.
• Participate in Sacramento County Opioid Coalition, Methamphetamine Coalition, or Youth Coalition meetings or join a sub-committee. For more details, visit www.sacopioidcoalition.org, www.LetsTalkMeth.org, or www.sacramentoccy.org.
• Share your lived experience testimony at upcoming Sacramento County Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services public speaking events. If interested, please email: DHS-SUPT@saccounty.net or call (916) 875-2050.
• Attend or join the Sacramento County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board meetings to voice your concerns and stay updated on Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services efforts. Meetings are held in person on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact DHS-SUPT@saccounty.net or call (916) 875-2050.
• Mark your calendars for September 14, 2023, as National Sober Day. Let’s celebrate sober life and show our support for those living in sobriety.
• Recognize September 20, 2023, as National Addiction Professionals Day. This day is dedicated to honoring the remarkable individuals making a difference in the addiction field daily.
• Acknowledge September 30, 2023, as International Recovery Day, symbolized by the color purple, representing addiction recovery.

**Don’t miss the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Recovery Month webinar series.​

In these challenging times marked by the opioid and methamphetamine crisis, staying connected with loved ones, family members, friends, colleagues, and our community is crucial. “It is critical that people experiencing substance use disorders receive the help and support they need,” Lori Miller, Sacramento County Alcohol and Drug Services Division Manager, emphasizes. “We invite you to join us in celebrating Recovery Month. Your support and involvement matter.”

For anyone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, Sacramento County offers a range of treatment services, including outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, residential treatment, detoxification, and perinatal services. Please call 916-874-9754 for a substance use assessment or access the Treatment Provider Directory at this link or the Prevention Services Provider Directory.​

The post National Recovery Month first appeared on SacramentoHelp.info.