Valley Crisis Center

Valley Crisis Center will be closed Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.

Please call (209) 722-4357 if you need to speak with an advocate.

❓What is Sexual Abuse❓

Sexual Abuse is any forced or coerced s*xual act or behavior such as unwanted touching, demeaning remarks about a partner’s body or appearance, minimizing a partner’s s*xual needs, berating a partner about their s*xual history, refusing to comply with a partner’s request for safer s*x, coercing a partner into s*x with others, or purposefully and repeatedly crossing a partner’s s*xual boundaries.

In LGBTQ relationships, it can also look like:
🚩Using LGBTQ stereotypes to coerce a partner into particular s*xual acts
🚩Saying that women can r**e or men cannot be r**ed
🚩Using gender roles to control how a partner has s*x
🚩Forcing s*x in exchange for necessities like food or housing
🚩Convincing a partner not to use s*xual protection because “LGBTQ s*x is safer”

Source: Recognizing and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Relationships of LGBTQ People: A Primer for Health Centers

Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence need access to Supportive Services such as shelter, emergency medical care, mental health counseling, police, and legal services.

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Folks in the LGBTQ Community face barriers that prevent them from accessing those same services.

In an emergency room, the abusive partner might pose as a friend (rather than an intimate partner) and thus compromise the abused partner's privacy and safety. *

Survivors also face discrimination or stigma when seeking help from medical services.

Emergency rooms may also lack necessary knowledge and training for gender-affirming care.

Valley Crisis Center offers advocacy and support during visits to the emergency room after an intimate partner violence incident. If you are in need of support while seeking medical attention, please don't hesitate to call 209.722.4357 to have an advocate support you.

*Source: Recognizing and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Relationships of LGBTQ People: A Primer for Health Centers

Coercion isn’t consent.
Pressuring, threatening, intimidating, trying to convince someone or wear them down is not only disrespectful but it makes the encounter not voluntary or freely given.
If power dynamics aren’t accounted for, if everyone involved is not free to make autonomous decisions for themselves, it’s not consensual.

Those who coerce as a pattern of behavior may unfortunately grow very adept at manipulation. This combined with the confusing nature of how our brains and bodies respond to stress and trauma can make you think you did agree and assent.
We’re sorry if you’ve experienced this. We know it can make you doubt yourself and make you feel like you are losing your mind. You are not. You are trying to make sense of something that wasn’t okay.

Repost MTMV Community Support Network

Join the Gustine Traveling Library for their R.E.A.D. Campaign kickoff event!

Teachers from across Merced, Stanislaus, and Mariposa County are invited to come down June 20th to learn about their campaign, get free books for their classrooms, and a free LEARN Education poster!

Don't miss it!

For many children, summer means sleeping in, playing outside, and enjoying a break from school. But for some families, it also means one less reliable meal each day. That's why we're here.

Beginning June 17, our patio becomes more than a place to eat it becomes a place where children and teens can count on a nutritious lunch, a friendly smile, fun activity and a welcoming community.

Whether you're spending the summer at home, helping care for younger siblings, or simply need a meal to get through the day, there's a seat waiting for you.

🍎 FREE Summer Lunch
📅 June 17 – July 23
⏰ 11 AM–12 PM
👧🧒 Open to all children and teens ages 1–18
🚫 Closed June 19 & July 3

No child should have to wonder where lunch is coming from this summer. If you know a family who could benefit, please help spread the word.
See you on our patio this summer! 🧡