Last January, we completed a blog series on Human Trafficking within the Native American community. This series focused primarily on historical Native American figures who have been trafficked. To many people outside of the Native American community, they were shocked to learn that popularized stories surrounding Pocahontas and Sacagawea had darker truth. For this blog post, we will focus on the prevalence of sex trafficking in modern Indigenous communities.

If you are a regular follower of the Cahuilla Consortium, you are probably aware that January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. However, many people maybe unfamiliar with common terms utilized by traffickers and survivors/current victims of human trafficking.....

The Cahuilla Consortium Victim Advocacy Program is moving!!

Most true crime fanatics will know the name John Walsh as the former host of the hit TV show America’s Most Wanted....

Sexual violence is unfortunately a commonplace within our society. As we all know, it can affect anyone, anywhere. However, those of you who have been reading our blog for sometime now may know that certain populations are at a higher risk of sexual violence compared to others. One of these populations happen to reside in what most regard as some of the most secure places within our country, jails and prisons.

For many, the Holiday Season is thought of as the best time of year. With Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” or some other classic holiday song playing on the radio most people think of spending time with their loved ones, opening presents, and taking shelter inside from the blistering cold. However, survivors of domestic violence can often have trouble celebrating the holidays for a multitude of reasons. The holiday season can be a reminder of their abuser, their first holiday season without their abuser, or to some a lonely time that makes them idealize the honeymoon periods of their previous relationship. No matter the case, we have put together a survival guide to celebrating the holidays for survivors.

Our blog this week will be a bit different than those of the past. Last week, the CCVAP staff and members from our Advisory Committee had the opportunity to attend the 17th National Indian Nations Conference sponsored by the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime.....

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous People epidemic is currently ravaging Indigenous populations in both the United States and Canada. When looking at the causes of the MMIP Epidemic, there are centuries of systemic and racial issues to choose from. However, research shows a modern pipeline directly contributing to the increasing numbers of MMIP in the US and Canada....

Growing up in the United States, students every November learn the history of Thanksgiving in anticipation of the upcoming days off of school. However, like much of Native American History taught in the American school system, the tale of Native Americans and Colonists breaking bread together is not surprisingly WRONG.....

Working in Victim Advocacy, we at the Cahuilla Consortium know that sexual violence, domestic/intimate partner violence, elder abuse, etc., can happen to anyone. Often, we see that a survivor and abuser are in some relationship (romantic or not). We frequently get asked how family members and friends can support a survivor in their journey to reclaim their lives....

Often, society believes that once a survivor of intimate partner violence (IPV) leaves their perpetrator, their struggles are over. However, the ramifications of IPV cost the population of the United States trillions of dollars every year. It is estimated as of 2014 that each case of intimate partner violence can cost female victims $103,767 throughout their lifetimes. Male victims' lifetime cost is estimated to be lower at around $23,414....

Hello, my name is Victoria Edwards Gonzalez and I am the newest member of the Cahuilla Consortium team!

As previously mentioned, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here at Cahuilla Consortium Victim Advocate Program (CCVAP), we believe it is essential to discuss the different components of abuse. This week, we will address boundaries and their role in abusive relationships.....

Evolving over the last 41 years, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (often referred to as DVAM), has evolved to become a yearly awareness campaign.....

Though many states now celebrate a similar day honoring Native American culture, California was the first state to have in recognition Native American culture in 1939......

In recent years, the topics of suicide and mental health crises have become prevalent across many circles. The Center for Disease Control estimated that nearly 46,000 deaths were caused by suicide in 2020.....

Congress made it mandatory that six states enforce PL-280 expanding their jurisdiction of Tribal lands

The California Victim Compensation Board (often referred to as CalVCB) is a state-wide service that provides financial assistance for many crime-related expenses. Victims who suffer physical injury, the threat of physical injury, or emotional injury can typically qualify for compensation. Additionally, family members or loved ones (derivative victims) may also be eligible for services through CalVCB....

With over 39.5 million people, California is the largest state by population. Likewise, California is home to over 12% of the total Native American population in the United States, making California home to the biggest population of Native American residents in the country......

The time of year has come, parents every where are finishing up last minute “back to school” shopping and preparing their children for a new school year. At times, a kid may have a wish list of items they feel they need to be fully prepared for school. This list can include new shoes, new clothes, or the latest trend in school supplies.....

Five years ago, a 22-year-old woman went over to a neighbor’s house to model a dress for $20. The neighbors, though they lived in the same apartment building, did not know each other very well. Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, the 22-year-old woman was a member of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. To view the “dress” mentioned by her neighbor, Savanna, followed her neighbor into the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, 40-year-old Brooke Crews, knocked the 8-month pregnant Savanna unconscious by shoving her down.....

Over the past few decades, the gun industry has been in the news a lot. With an alarming rate of mass murders and other historically high rates of gun violence, pressure has been on lawmakers for some type of legislative gun reform. In the past few days, legal reforms have passed through the state (California) and federal levels in hopes of reducing gun violence in the country...

32 years ago on July 26th, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This legislation prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities. Along with providing protections to persons with disabilities, the ADA requires reasonable accommodations be made by employers for employees that have disabilities....

With Pride month coming to an end, we thought it would be good to examine the case that has allowed same-sex marriage in the country, Obergefell v. Hodges.....

Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, possibly one of the most important pieces of legislation for gender equality. Originally titled "Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972" (commonly referred to as Title 9), this law was enacted on June 23, 1972. Title IX protects against sex-based discrimination toward students....

Currently speaking, it is estimated that 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced physical violence, rape, and or stalking compared to just 35% of heterosexual women....

The 15th of June has been recognized internationally as a day of education and awareness to prevent Elder Abuse. As a whole, a common definition for elder abuse has been described by the Administration for Community Living as “a term referring to anyone knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult”....

Before colonization in the United States, “Two-Spirit” members of indigenous communities were held in high regard and were blessed to perform specific cultural and social functions within their communities. This contemporary term (being established in the 1990’s) was derived from the Ojibwa word “Niizh manitoag”....

If you have been harmed, harassed, or threatened you, you may qualify for one of three common types of protection orders. Though there are many types of restraining orders (depending on the state you live in), the CCVAP Advocates primarily utilize civil restraining orders, domestic violence restraining orders, and elder/dependent abuse restraining orders when assisting with our clients.

Throughout May, there are many awareness campaigns, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, and the World Day for Cultural Diversity (5/21). Among all of these is another often overlooked day, National Missing Children’s Day, which takes place on May 25th.

Often, people who have been victimized by Domestic Violence have experienced some extent of strangulation in their relationship. It is estimated that 68% of women who experience intimate partner violence will also experience a near fatal strangulation.

Jeans are worn by millions of people every day, however annually, the last Wednesday of April is a multinational day of awareness surrounding jeans. Denim Day has for decades been the longest running sexual assault awareness campaign in the world.

Debra Marie Black Crow was born in Wyoming in 1958. She was the third eldest daughter of her family. She was also a Native American of the Arapaho and Oglala nations. Part of her childhood was spent living on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Eventually, Debra graduated high school and a had the desire to become a nurse.

March of 2022 has seen a huge win for Women’s rights and for victims of crime. As part of the 2022 Omnibus Spending Package, the United States Government has voted and signed legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) through 2027.....

The Cahuilla Consortium Victim Advocacy Program is please to welcome our new Mobile Domestic Violence Advocate Analis!

Today, March 8th is recognized as International Women's Day. In response, we have decided to recognize three Native American Women who have stood up for what they believe in and advocated for their fellow indigenous women.

“Breanna Moore just sparkles” was the way the 20-year-old was described by the hosts of the popular podcast Crime Junkies. Breanna (who was usually referred to as Bree by her close friends and family) was part of a special episode of Crime Junkies in February of 2020 for Teen Dating Violence Awareness month. In the year 2014, Bree was tragically murdered by her then boyfriend Joshua Almeda.....

Love at first sight, a common dream shared by many people. You know, the thought of locking eyes with someone from across the room and them being the perfect partner for you....

On any given weekday in the United States, parents spend time waking their children for school. As part of their daily routine, parents generally do not think much of this task. However, on one cold Monday in November of 2016, Jill Walker received the shock of her life when attempting to awake her daughter....

As we have learned from the other stories included in the human trafficking series, trafficking has existed in the world for centuries. In modern times, the human trafficking industry has developed to utilize technology to increase access to victims....

For years, images of Sacagawea have been associated with women’s freedom and independence. Ironically, the woman that is a symbol for hope, freedom, and American independence was also a victim of human trafficking....

Often, when we think of the story of Pocahontas, we think of images of a Disney character frolicking through the woods with her pet racoon and humming bird. However, this story romanticizes one of the most well documented cases of a Native American Woman being a victim of human trafficking.

On the early morning of March 13, 1964, 28-year-old Kitty Genovese was violently murdered outside of her New York City apartment.....

As we close out 2021, many celebrations will take place this upcoming weekend. Everyone brings in the New Year in different ways; Some of us stay cuddled up on the couch watching the ball drop, others take to the dance floor to dance the night away, while others spend the night surrounded by family.....

Most people have heard someone use the phrases “boys will be boys”, “real men don’t cry”, or “just be a man about it”, (among others) toward young men.....

I met him through a mutual friend. My friend told me that he was extremely outgoing and friendly, and everyone loved him. He seemed nice, so when he asked me to dinner, I said “yes” without hesitation. He picked me up from my house, gave me flowers and opened the car door. "Wow! He's too good to be true."

Victims of crime are given their rights in printed form by law enforcement, when requested, after a crime has occurred. ALWAYS ASK FOR THEM!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and during this month we connect and collaborate in unity with individuals and other organizations throughout our Nation to raise awareness about domestic violence and share about prevention efforts being made. When one hears the words “domestic violence,” the visualization that comes to mind is typically a female victim of male-inflicted abuse. Although statistics...

This Friday, in recognition of California Native American Day, September 24, 2021, we will be closing our office for the day to celebrate and acknowledge the diverse and culturally rich Native American...

Hello, my name is Joseph Saenz Yanez and I am excited...

Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone.” Our bodies produce it when we are in “fight or flight” situations. Adrenal glands produce different hormone...

Everyone here is so gracious and giving. Seeing the work that CCVAP is doing has made me curious about becoming an advocate. Who knows, I might return in a few years.

Cahuilla Consortium is hosting the "Community Story Tree!"

Google defines listening as, “a station for intercepting electronic communications.” That is technically correct, however, it fails to mention anything about undivided attention or patience. 70% of a person’s day...

The CCVAP welcomes CIMC TWEX, Lily Clarke, our Intern Advocate...

Here are 6 ways to support...

he CCVAP has a new member to the team, his name is Dobby and he is a black and tan, Dachshund. He is 7-months old and has been coming into the CCVAP Office each day with his mom, ...

Take a look at the legislation that was passed by in 2018, known as Savanna’s Act. The law is named after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was murdered in 2017.Savanna was a vibrant 22-year-old expectant mother, and...

Grooming is when someone builds a relationship of trust and emotional connection with child or person that is vulnerable so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse their target person. A groomer/perpetrator knows...

We are living in the digital age, which allows us to connect with people all over the world without ever leaving our homes. With the Internet, we can be...

Human Trafficking in today’s world is not a simple business. Many may have a basic understanding of what Human Trafficking (HT) is, but some may not be familiar with some of the basic “types.”

May 5th was declared the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.

He was arrested and convicted. Later, he appealed his conviction. The court ruled that because she was wearing tight jeans...

She returned to her reservation to find healing on the land and within her culture.

She was 13 and it was her first school dance. The boy who asked her to dance was a friend, he was always kind and always courteous. They danced the first one, a fast one and then he asked her to stay for the second, a slow one. She put her hand...

"So why didn’t you just leave?" That question is the most frequently asked one regarding a battering situation and the one that causes anguish for so many domestic violence survivors.

It’s the hardest thing to do. To ask for help. We hear this a lot from those our program has helped.