Understanding abuse, assault & trafficking

Knowing the signs of abuse can help you find safety, for yourself or someone you care about. If you are unsure whether our services are right for you, please call us on our 24-hour crisis line.

24‑hr crisis line: (209) 722‑4357

Intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence is a pattern of behavior used by one partner to maintain power and control over another in their relationship. Abuse can take many forms — physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, mental, spiritual, or financial — and it does not have to be physical for it to be valid. Withholding and monitoring money, isolation, gaslighting, using your spiritual beliefs against you, and threats to your children or pets are all abuse.

Abuse tends to increase in severity over time, and leaving an abusive partner is often the most dangerous time for the victim. A safety plan can help — see the step-by-step safety plan, and remember to plan for hidden photos and dated notes, a code word with people you trust, ways to get out quickly, your children, and your pets. After separation, advocates can help with lock changes, protective orders, and workplace safety measures like a shift change, leaving through a different door, and call screening.

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is when one person uses force, the threat of force, or coercion to make another person engage in sexual behavior against their will. About half of the people who have been sexually assaulted knew their assailant, and no victim is at fault, no matter how they acted or dressed. Drugs like Rohypnol, GHB, and ketamine can be mixed into drinks to make a person black out and forget things that happen; memory gaps do not make it your fault.

Valley Crisis Center advocates provide counseling, accompaniment through SART forensic exams, and support through reporting decisions — including confidential “Jane Doe” reporting. No matter how long ago the assault happened, our services are free and your information will be kept confidential.

In-depth guides from our Mountain Crisis Services program:

Naming the violence — definitions of the forms sexual violence can take
Your rights — the rights of rape victims
Common reactions — trauma responses after an assault, and why they are normal
Taking care of yourself — self-care for body and mind after an assault
Sexual assault FAQs — myths and facts

Human trafficking

Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of people — through the threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, or deception — for the purpose of exploitation. It is the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is the fastest growing. Warning signs include someone who is never alone or has someone answering questions on their behalf, whose communication is restricted or monitored, who has no access to their own documents, identification, or money, or who is afraid of receiving help from outside agencies.

Valley Crisis Center’s confidential safe house also serves survivors of human trafficking. If you or someone you know may be experiencing trafficking:

VCC 24-hour crisis line: (209) 722‑4357
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1‑888‑373‑7888, or text BeFree (233733)
If a child is in danger: Merced County CPS (209) 385‑3104 or 1‑800‑422‑4453; in an emergency, call 911

Stalking

Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear: following you and showing up wherever you are, unwanted calls and messages, monitoring your phone or computer use, sending unwanted gifts, or spreading rumors about you. Stalking is unpredictable and can be very dangerous.

If you believe you are being stalked by someone you were in a relationship with, or were sexually assaulted by: trust your instincts and don’t downplay the danger; write down the time, date, and place each time the stalker follows or contacts you; keep emails, phone messages, letters, and notes; tell family, friends, and coworkers and seek their support; and consider a restraining order — our legal advocates can help you prepare and file one.

How to support a survivor

Believe them. Listen without judgment, and let them know the abuse is not their fault.
Don’t pressure decisions. Support their choices, and don’t assume you know what is best for them.
Stay connected. They need your support regardless of their decisions, so keep offering help.
Know the resources. You can call our crisis line yourself to talk through how to help someone — advocates support friends and family too.

Taking care of yourself

Stylized illustration of a tree, from Valley Crisis Center's self-care materials

Self-care is important so you can maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. It can help boost confidence, happiness, and self-esteem. The truth is it is not selfish to put yourself first. Self-care is giving yourself what you need mentally, physically, and spiritually to get through your day and to handle the stress that comes with it. It is a thought that says, “I am in charge of myself.” You deserve to treat yourself with care and respect, and if you take care of yourself, it is easier to take care of others.

Taking care of yourself does not have to take a lot of your time and you do not have to spend money doing so. Self-care is as easy as drinking a cup of water, eating something good for you, taking a warm bath or shower, or cuddling with your pets, kids, or someone you love. Self-care does not look the same for everyone — try making a list of the things you do that make you feel happy or good, and then try to do those things when you do not feel well or you feel stressed. Remember that even small changes in your normal life can be difficult and do take time to adjust. Just remember that you are worth the effort.

Free prevention education

Valley Crisis Center offers free presentations (15–30 minutes) and trainings (30+ minutes) for schools, workplaces, and community groups, in English and Spanish — evenings and weekends possible. Printable brochures are available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Use the online presentation request form or call the business office at (209) 725‑7900 to request a presentation or materials.

Download printable brochures & flyers · National, state & local resource directory