StrengthUnited, a chartered center of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), has served the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys for more than 30 years, supporting the most vulnerable members of our community at critical moments in their lives, and providing prevention, intervention, and education in our community to address violence and abuse at the root. StrengthUnited is an irreplaceable resource for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Maltreatment in our community.
In Los Angeles County each year there are:
- Nearly 40,000 reported cases of Domestic Violence
- More than 22,000 cases of Child Abuse and neglect, of which 5% are cases of sexual abuse.
- More than 1,000 reported cases of Sexual Assault, and estimates indicate that less than one-third of assaults are reported, so actual incidents maybe three times higher.
Consequences of violence and trauma can include physical injury and other medical problems; mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts; lost work productivity; loss of housing and financial security; and long-term health consequences.
Through a groundbreaking multidisciplinary approach, StrengthUnited serves thousands of children and adults annually, free of charge. We provide 24/7 confidential support and response and help survivors of violence and abuse navigate the often-confusing array of different jurisdictions, departments, and service providers. StrengthUnited brings service partners including law enforcement, medical professionals, counselors, legal aid, and more together in one location, creating an experience that favors the needs of the survivor, rather than an often-hostile system. We help children, adults, and families live abuse-free lives.
In 2019, more than 2,000 children and nearly 2,700 adults received direct services, including 262 families and more than 300 Foster Youth. Our hotline responded to 1,100 calls, and our Prevention Education services reach nearly 45,000 individuals. Our Prevention and Education efforts include community mobilization throughout the region, youth leadership development, and a wide variety of training and workshops, as well as CSUN’s Campus Care Advocates. Our specialized programs also address the needs of LGBTQIA+ Survivors, and we provide resources in a variety of languages.
StrengthUnited recognizes and acknowledges the Sesevitam, the first people of this ancestral and unceded territory of Sesevenga that is now occupied by our institution. We honor their elders, past and present, and the Sesevitam descendants who are citizens of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. StrengthUnited recognizes that the Sesevitam are still here and we are committed to lifting up their stories, culture, and community.
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