Advocacy
Reporting a sexual assault is a personal decision and the survivor is the only person who can decide if reporting is the right choice. If you decide to report, you have the right to request a Sexual Assault Advocate during interviews with the police or hospital staff. Conversations between survivors and Tri-Valley Haven advocates are confidential, protected by law and cannot be brought up in court.
Sexual Assault Response Team
The Sexual Assault Response Team is an alliance between Tri-Valley Haven, the Sheriff’s Department, Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin Police, the District Attorney’s Office and Highland and Washington Hospitals. When a survivor reports to the police station or the hospital, a Sexual Assault Advocate from the Haven is called to respond. The advocate is trained to assist the survivor through the emotional, medical and legal process following an assault. S.A.R.T. reduces the number of times a survivor must tell their story. Team members work effectively for the survivor’s needs during this traumatic period. Reporting a sexual assault is a personal decision and the survivor is the only person who can decide if reporting is the right choice. A survivor does not need to report an assault in order to get Tri-Valley Haven services such as counseling. If you decide to report, you have the right to request a Sexual Assault Advocate during interviews with the police or hospital staff. Conversations between survivors and Tri-Valley Haven advocates are confidential, protected by law and cannot be brought up in court.
Prevention Services
Tri-Valley Haven believes prevention and working to end intimate partner violence is critical to creating a community without violence. The Haven’s Preventionists teach classes on how to recognize the dynamics and pervasiveness of domestic violence and sexual assault. In addition, we educate Tri-Valley middle and high school students on critically important dating violence prevention topics in a safe and age appropriate manner. Tri-Valley Haven Preventionists demonstrate bystander intervention techniques and how to seek help. Haven staff work closely with local school districts to keep students safe.
Counseling Services
Tri-Valley Haven offers a variety of counseling and support group services in the belief that while healing is the necessary first step in re-building broken lives, more help must be made available to empower people to regain their sense of self, their sense of pride, and their sense of accomplishment.
We have gender neutral bathrooms for counseling clients at our Community Building.
When privacy is required or desired, we offer one-on-one therapy sessions with professional therapists for both adults and children, to address all domestic violence or sexual assault-related issues. Counseling sessions are initially free, and then available on a sliding scale. For counseling services or support groups, please call Tri-Valley Haven Community Building at (925) 449-5845.
As part of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), Tri-Valley Haven provides crisis counseling and support to survivors of sexual assault inside Santa Rita Jail. Incarcerated sexual assault survivors have access to the Haven’s 24-hour crisis line. The Haven also facilitates therapeutic art classes to survivors inside the jail. For many incarcerated survivors, this is the first time they have received help for their trauma.
Shelter
Shelter and Housing
Tri-Valley Haven shelters women and children who are victims sexual assault and interpersonal violence and in need of a safe, confidential location providing supportive services. The Haven’s shelter, aptly named Shiloh which means peace, has 30-beds. All TVH shelters accept families with boys and girls up to the age of 18 years. Each resident is assigned a counselor who works individually with her and her children. Case managers help clients with housing, legal, vocational, and financial needs. Each child at Shiloh receives an initial assessment to evaluate their physical and emotional needs. Counselors and staff members work with the mother to meet the needs of the entire family.
