Verity: Compassion, Safety, Support

Description

We promote social justice and equality for all women, men and children who have been sexually assaulted. We are committed to ending sexual violence by working to eliminate those conditions that cause or tolerate it. We recognize that the process of ending violence in our community involves a partnership of individuals, groups and institutions.

Verity was founded in 1974 as Women Against Rape, a grassroots organization for women who were traumatized by rape. The agency consisted of a phone number women could call for emotional support, which is still the only one of its kind in Sonoma County. It operates 24 hours a day,7 days a week.

Over the past 35 years, the organization has undergone many changes and greatly expanded the services it is able to offer the people of our community. Staff and volunteers complete an extensive training, learning specific ways to help victims, which include not only women and girls, but also men, children and the families of victims. They learn about the devastating effects of rape trauma syndrome and other health issues - both physical and mental - law enforcement and court procedures, and all the resources available in our community. These individuals not only give their time to work the crisis line phone, but they also accompany victims and their families when asked. This may be for any number of different reasons - police reporting, court appearances and testifying, medical-legal exams at the hospital, for which support is needed.