The Center for Violence Free Relationships (formerly the El Dorado Women’s Center) is dedicated to building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual assault and domestic violence through education, advocacy and services in western El Dorado County.
- Sexual assault and domestic violence are destructive to individuals, families, communities and society.
- Everyone has a right to live in a safe and secure environment, physically, emotionally and mentally.
- Violence breeds violence, resulting in a cycle of violence and victimization.
- Victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are not responsible for that violence.
- Everyone, regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, disability, immigration status, sexual orientation, age or socioeconomic status, is entitled to equality and freedom from violence, and deserves unfettered access to advocacy, support and services.
- The prevention and elimination of sexual assault and domestic violence will be achieved through positive social change.
Thus, it is our responsibility as an agency to foster a community culture that will work for the prevention and elimination of sexual assault and domestic violence.
- Social and economic empowerment of individuals and the larger community will advance the prevention and elimination of sexual assault and domestic violence.
- Open, candid and respectful dialogue fosters collaboration and community change.
Therefore, it is our responsibility to engage in work that enables empowerment and openness.
In order to prevent and eliminate sexual assault and domestic violence, it is our responsibility to collectively embrace our mission and leave behind individual belief systems.The Center was founded in 1980 by members of the El Dorado County Commission on the Status of Women to meet the needs of displaced homemakers. During an 18-month period, we served over 500 women. The Center was awarded the National Association of Counties Achievement Award in 1981 in recognition of its achievements with our displaced homemakers program.
In 1981, the Center shifted its focus to providing services to victims of domestic violence when it became apparent that many of our displaced homemakers were fleeing violent relationships. It was felt that dealing with only their material needs did not adequately prepare them for their new, independent roles. Individual and group counseling services and legal assistance began to be offered at this time for battered women. The Center was given an Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Service in 1984 by the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the legal program, which assists battered women and sexual assault survivors in obtaining custody, dissolution and temporary restraining orders, was honored in 1987 by the State Bar of California, Board of Governors for outstanding delivery of pro bono legal services.
For a short period in 1984, The Center offered a diversion service for batterers. A contract licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor provided individual and couple counseling to batterers and their partners. This program ended due to lack of funding. In March of 1990, thanks to a United Way Sacramento Area Add-Venture Grant, we started offering group counseling services to both court-mandated and self-referred batterers. The program was developed with the input and involvement of local criminal justice agency representatives. It is known today as MAAP, Men's Alternatives to Abusive Patterns.
In 1985, The Center added a sexual assault program to provide services for survivors of molest and rape. An outreach rape prevention program to high school students was implemented. We are members of the Sexual Assault Response Team which provides hospital accompaniment and support for victims of sexual assault.
Also in 1985, The Center started an emergency shelter for battered women and their children needing a safe, non-violent place to stay while re-organizing their lives. A year and a half later we purchased a shelter house and moved out of the original leased shelter. The down payment for the facility was paid entirely by community donations. In 1991 we moved to a larger 15-bed shelter thanks to a grant we obtained from the California Community Development Black Grant Program which paid for the purchase and renovation of the new facility.
In 1989, we obtained a three year grant from the California Office of Criminal Justice Planning to develop a rural advocacy model for enhancing the criminal justice system's response to domestic violence cases. This model, once completed, can then be adopted by other rural communities in California. The final report for this grant was completed in December, 1995. We continue to provide telephone legal technical assistance to any rural agency within California.
In 1990, California's Governor Deukmejian presented The Center with the annual Victim Services Agency Award for "outstanding service to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families."
Current services include: a 24-hour crisis line; individual counseling, drop-in and group support for victims; emergency food, clothing and transportation; legal assistance and accompaniment; play/art therapy for sheltered children; hospital and court accompaniment and advocacy; information and referral; group counseling for men who have battered their partners; community education; school prevention programs; and training for volunteers. Over 22,000 victims have been served to date.
The Center is the only local agency providing specialized services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims and their families and is recognized in the community and among helping professionals for its expertise in domestic violence and sexual assault issues.
We have a stable and experienced paid staff of 23, many of whom have over 15 years experience in the fields of domestic violence and sexual assault. In addition, the agency has a longstanding history of attracting and maintaining volunteers. Over 1,200 volunteers have participated in various aspects of Center activities (crisis line, peer counseling, group facilitation, legal advocacy, hospital and court accompaniment, clerical, public speaking, etc.) since 1981. Currently, there are 46 volunteers assisting with the agency's direct service operations and many more working in support roles such as fund development, event planning and Board technical support..
The nine-member Board of Directors, comprised of community volunteers with a diversity of expertise, is actively involved in the planning, support and development of the agency. They are assisted in this effort by many community volunteers with specialized expertise who serve on the Committees of the Board.
- Email Address
- Address
- 344 Placerville Drive, Suite 11
Placerville, CA 95667 - Phone Number
- (530) 626-1450
- Fax Number
- (530) 626-6895
