Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA) invites supporters to join its 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Chocolate De Vine fundraiser, 4-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara.
The event will feature tastings from local chocolatiers and wineries a judged competition of chocolate creations by local chefs; appetizers; balloon pop prizes; and a live auction of experiences. Click here to participate in the event.
Founded in 1974 by Muff Bizwell, Nora Hochman and Barbara Lindemann as the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center (SBRCC), 2024 marks the group’s 50th year of service in response to a critical need in the community to address sexual assault.
In another response to community feedback in 2018, SBRCC rebranded as Standing Together to End Sexual Assault to showcase its activism and education, in addition to its support and advocacy services.
Since its inception, STESA has been empowering, healing, and creating social change to eradicate all forms of sexual violence in the community. STESA has provided counseling and prevention services to thousands of sexual assault survivors and the Santa Barbara community.
STESA counselors offer support and education to survivors and their loved ones, and empower them in their healing process.
Started as a 24-hour hotline in 1974, STESA’s scope expanded to long-term counseling, self-defense classes, and prevention programs for community members and professionals who interface with sexual assault survivors. Its impact spread overseas to Spain, where 53 rape crisis centers were modeled after STESA and have been in operation for the past two years.
During the past year, STESA provided confidential services to more than 400 clients and offered education to some 4,800 community members, including students, businesses, medical, social service, and law enforcement professionals.
Funds raised from the event will support intervention and prevention programs.