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April brings several important observances that reflect the heart of our mission at Peace Over Violence—supporting survivors, promoting healing, and building safer, more inclusive communities.

National Diversity Month celebrates the richness of our communities and reminds us of the importance of culturally responsive, inclusive care. At POV, we strive to ensure all survivors feel seen, heard, and valued.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is a powerful reminder that every child deserves to grow up safe and supported. We remain dedicated to breaking cycles of violence through prevention education and compassionate services for youth and families.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 6–12, 2025) honors the rights and voices of those impacted by violence. It's a time to reaffirm our commitment to justice and advocate for survivor-centered systems that offer real healing and accountability.

National Poetry Month uplifts the power of expression in the healing process. Many survivors use poetry to process trauma, reclaim their stories, and find strength in their voices. We honor and encourage that creativity across our work with youth and adults alike.


** What is poetry?
"To see a world in
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** a grain of sand
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** And heaven in a
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** wild flower,
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** Hold infinity in
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** The palm of your
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** hand
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** And eternity in an
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** hour"
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** — William Blake
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As we mark these observances, we recommit to the work of healing, justice, and collective care.

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** SAAM 2025: Building Connected Communities
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April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to honor survivors, raise awareness, and advocate for systemic change.


** The Ongoing Crisis
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Sexual violence remains a pervasive issue in the United States:
* Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. (RAINN)
* Every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. (RAINN)
* 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. (NSVRC)
* 44% of victims of sexual assault and rape are under the age of 18. (RAINN)
* 1 in 3 female victims of completed or attempted rape experienced it for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17. (NSVRC)

These statistics highlight the pressing need for stronger prevention efforts and support systems that truly center the voices and needs of survivors.


** Our Commitment
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At Peace Over Violence, we are dedicated to:

Prevention Education: Implementing programs that address the root causes of sexual violence and promote healthy relationships. Our Youth Leadership Summer Institute is coming up! Learn more and apply at peaceoverviolence.org/youth-over-violence. Applications are open through April 25th!

Survivor Support: Providing trauma-informed services that prioritize the needs and voices of survivors.

Community Engagement: Collaborating with local organizations to build networks of support and advocacy.

Policy Advocacy: Working towards legislative changes that protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.


** Get Involved
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Join us in our mission to end sexual violence:

Participate in Denim Day ([link removed]) and other SAAM events and workshops throughout April.

Educate yourself and others about consent, bystander intervention, and survivor support.

Advocate for policies that promote justice and equity for survivors.


** Together, we can build connected communities where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered.
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** Denim Day 2025 is Next Week
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**
LOS ANGELES: Join us for our Denim Day Rally & Press Conference 2025
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* program & speakers
* community solidarity
* interactive activities & giveaways
* coffee & treats
Program will be ASL Interpreted.

WHEN

Wednesday, April 30th @ 9am

WHERE

Los Angeles City Hall South Lawn Steps

This location faces 1st St.

RSVP ([link removed])


** Support the Campaign
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** Donate Today
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I support survivors!

DONATE NOW ([link removed])


** Dollars for Denim Fundraising
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Launch your Dollars for Denim Fundraising Team today! Challenge friends, family and co-workers to show their solidarity with survivors and their commitment to preventing sexual violence by becoming a Denim Day donor.

LEARN HOW ([link removed])


** Become a Sponsor
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** JOIN THE MOVEMENT. SUPPORT THE SERVICES.
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Be a partner in our work and a leader in this international violence prevention and education campaign. Inspire change, create solidarity, and support survivors.

LEARN HOW ([link removed])
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** Counselor Advocate Summer '25
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Peace Over Violence encourages caring and compassionate individuals from the diverse communities of LA County to become trauma informed Counselor Advocates working directly with survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Upon completion of the training, you will be part of the Peace Over Violence Intervention Division’s Emergency Response Team, volunteering for either of the following programs: 24-Hour Hotline and Emergency Response Team and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).


** Virtual Training begins Wednesday, May 21, 2025
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** Graduation: Saturday, July 12, 2025
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Trainings will be weekly on Wednesdays from 6:30-9:30pm and on Saturdays from 9:00am -5:00pm. This training will be mostly virtual with only 1 training day in-person for Self Defense. No training on holidays: May 24 and July 5.


** Application Deadline is May 14, 2025.
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** Requirements
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* Commitment to one full year of service
* Be 18 years of age or older
* Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and insurance
* Must live in LA County. Prefer community members from Metro LA or WSGV


** Benefits
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* Become a trauma informed Counselor Advocate
* Provide direct services to survivors via our 24-hour hotline and respond in person
* Help strengthen community partner relationships
* Enhanced knowledge of sexual assault, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, intimate partner stalking, and other topics relating to violence
* Become a representative of a nationally recognized organization
* Give back to communities impacted by violence

* No previous experience is required. Please note: all counselor advocates will be subject to an LAPD or POV criminal background check. Due to the monolingual populations we serve, bilingual candidates fluent in Spanish and/or American Sign Language are encouraged to apply.


** Ready to apply?
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If you’re ready to apply, click to download the PDF ([link removed]) . Please submit your completed application to [email protected]. Thank you!
Apply Today ([link removed])
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** Application deadline is approaching!
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The Youth Over Violence Leadership Institute is for youth who are committed to building and making powerful social change through awareness, advocacy and violence prevention strategies. The program empowers youth between the ages of 14-19 by educating them on healthy relationships, promoting awareness of teen dating violence, and enhancing community organizing skills. Upon successful completion of this training, youth leaders will go back to their school to implement campus-based violence prevention clubs, Students Together Organizing Peace (STOP club), become mentors to other students and identify and cultivate the next generation of leaders. POV’s Youth Institute utilizes a combination of educational sessions, trauma-informed activities and education, field trips, and internship projects.

APPLY

Deadline: Friday, April 25
Institute begins Tuesday, June 17

All participants are eligible to earn $200 stipend.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on IG @youthoverviolence for more updates!
Apply Today ([link removed])


** POV Reads
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** I'll Never Call Him Dad Again: Turning Our Family Trauma of Sexual Assault and Chemical Submission into a Collective Fight ([link removed])
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Book by Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot

The trial of Dominique Pelicot has captured the world's attention. Behind Pelicot's unthinkable crimes are a mother, Gisèle Pelicot, and her daughter, Caroline Darian, who were forced to rebuild their lives.


** HHS guts sexual violence prevention division, leaving local efforts adrift ([link removed])
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by Selena Simmons-Duffin

April 1 was the first day of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It's also the day the Department of Health And Human Services fired the teams that work on sexual violence prevention.


** Trump attacks immigrants in racist Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation ([link removed])
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by Ja'han Jones

The president, who was found civilly liable for sexual assault, released a screed targeting immigrants to mark the occasion.


** The Secret History of the Rape Kit ([link removed])
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Book by Pagan Kennedy

Marty Goddard dreamed up a new crime-solving tool—a kit that could help rape survivors fight for justice. This thrilling investigation tells the story of the troubled, heroic woman who kicked off a feminist revolution in forensics, and then vanished into obscurity.


** Working Group on Support for Survivors of Sexual Assault ([link removed])
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Report

A recent national report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that one in five women report being sexually assaulted. According to RAINN, a national Sexual Assault Prevention Agency, out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, 975 perpetrators will walk free; 310 of every 1,000 sexual assault crimes are reported; 50 out of every 1,000 perpetrators are arrested and more than half of those arrested are convicted.


** New Role for Yvette Lozano: Deputy Executive Director
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Yvette Lozano has served POV for over 20 years, leading efforts to end sexual and domestic violence in our community. Previously the Chief Program & Operations Officer, now Deputy Executive Director, she oversees agency operations and intervention services, including emergency response, case management, and self-defense training. A certified P.O.S.T. trainer and self-defense instructor, Yvette bridges community and law enforcement partnerships while advocating for survivors, especially youth, Latinx, and immigrant families. She has held leadership roles with VALOR and LA’s Domestic Violence Alliance, and continues to provide statewide training and support. Yvette’s work centers on empowerment, resilience, and justice for all survivors.


** New Staff
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Sophia Garcia joined our Prevention Division at the top of the year as a Violence Prevention Educator!

Eniko Uzonyi started off as a volunteer and officially became an Emergency Services Case Manager in January 2025!

Alma Cardenas recently joined us as a Campus Advocate at Cal State LA!

Sabrina Murillo recently joined our Housing Department as a Housing Case Manager!
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** Join our team
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** Looking to join the team at Peace Over Violence? Apply today!
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* Psychologist — Trauma Recovery Center ([link removed])
* Domestic Violence Case Manager FJC LACABAC ([link removed])
* Emergency Services Case Manager I ([link removed])
* Domestic Violence Case Manager ([link removed])

Apply Today ([link removed])


** Connect with us and join the conversation on social media
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Follow us on our platforms to stay updated on our work and engage with our community.
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FOLLOW US

@peaceovrviolnce ([link removed]) on Instagram ([link removed])

“Peace Over Violence ([link removed]) ” on Facebook ([link removed])

@PeaceOvrViolnce ([link removed]) on X ([link removed])

#PeaceOverViolence


** Support healing services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
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Donate Today ([link removed])


** CONNECT WITH US
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** CONTACT
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Metro Headquarters
1541 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90017

213.955.9090 (tel:213.955.9090) office
213.955.9093 (tel:213.955.9090) fax
213.785.2684 (tel:213.785.2684) video
213.785.2749 (tel:213.785.2749) video


**
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West San Gabriel Valley Center
892 N Fair Oaks Ave, Suite D
Pasadena, CA 91103

626.584.6191 (tel:626.584.6191) office
626.584.6193 (tel:626.584.6193) fax
626.243.7972 (tel:626.243.7972) video


**
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** 24/7 LA RAPE & BATTERING HOTLINE
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626.793.3385 (tel:6267933385)
310.392.8381 (tel:3103928381)
213.626.3393 (tel:2136263393)


**
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Information
Support
Referrals
Accompaniments
Advocacy
Counseling
Self-Defense

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** Committed to social service, social change and social justice
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Copyright (C) 2025 Peace Over Violence. All rights reserved.
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