Rape Crisis Centers
Once a sexual assault is reported, and you (Law Enforcement) have responded to the scene, you'll call a Rape Crisis Center (RCC) to respond. Below are a list of local RCCs.
Local RCCs
Partners Against Violence - High Desert
Hotline: (760) 952-0041
15437 Anacapa Road suite 8, Victorville, CA 92392, USA
Partners Against Violence - San Bernardino
Hotline: (909) 885-8884
444 North Arrowhead Avenue suite 101, San Bernardino, CA 92401, USA
Project Sister
(909) 626-4357
363 S Park Ave unit 303, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
Partners Against Violence - Morongo Basin
Hotline: (760) 369-3353
58945 Bus Center Drive, Yucca Valley, CA, USA
REACH (Formerly Center Against Sexual Assault of Southwest Riverside County)
Hotline: (866) 373-8300
1600 E Florida Ave #206, Hemet, CA 92544, USA
Partners Against Violence - Coachella Valley
Hotline: (760) 369-3353
78370 Hwy 111 suite 130, La Quinta, CA 92253, USA
Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center
Hotline: (951) 686-7273
1845 Chicago Ave suite a, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
Penal Code Quick Guide
CA. PEN. CODE 261 - Defines Rape
CHAPTER 1. Rape, Abduction, Carnal Abuse of Children, and Seduction [261 - 269] ( Chapter 1 enacted 1872. ) 261. (a) Rape is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished under any of the following circumstances: (1) If a person who is not the spouse of the person committing the act is incapable, because of a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability, of giving legal consent, and this is known or reasonably should be known to the person committing the act. Notwithstanding the existence of a conservatorship pursuant to the provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), the prosecuting attorney shall prove, as an element of the crime, that a mental disorder or developmental or physical disability rendered the alleged victim incapable of giving consent. This paragraph does not preclude the prosecution of a spouse committing the act from being prosecuted under any other paragraph of this subdivision or any other law. (2) If it is accomplished against a person’s will by means of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the person or another. (3) If a person is prevented from resisting by an intoxicating or anesthetic substance, or a controlled substance, and this condition was known, or reasonably should have been known by the accused. (4) If a person is at the time unconscious of the nature of the act, and this is known to the accused. As used in this paragraph, “unconscious of the nature of the act” means incapable of resisting because the victim meets any one of the following conditions: (A) Was unconscious or asleep. (B) Was not aware, knowing, perceiving, or cognizant that the act occurred. (C) Was not aware, knowing, perceiving, or cognizant of the essential characteristics of the act due to the perpetrator’s fraud in fact. (D) Was not aware, knowing, perceiving, or cognizant of the essential characteristics of the act due to the perpetrator’s fraudulent representation that the sexual penetration served a professional purpose when it served no professional purpose. (5) If a person submits under the belief that the person committing the act is someone known to the victim other than the accused, and this belief is induced by artifice, pretense, or concealment practiced by the accused, with intent to induce the belief. (6) If the act is accomplished against the victim’s will by threatening to retaliate in the future against the victim or any other person, and there is a reasonable possibility that the perpetrator will execute the threat. As used in this paragraph, “threatening to retaliate” means a threat to kidnap or falsely imprison, or to inflict extreme pain, serious bodily injury, or death. (7) If the act is accomplished against the victim’s will by threatening to use the authority of a public official to incarcerate, arrest, or deport the victim or another, and the victim has a reasonable belief that the perpetrator is a public official. As used in this paragraph, “public official” means a person employed by a governmental agency who has the authority, as part of that position, to incarcerate, arrest, or deport another. The perpetrator does not actually have to be a public official. (b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) “Duress” means a direct or implied threat of force, violence, danger, or retribution sufficient to coerce a reasonable person of ordinary susceptibilities to perform an act which otherwise would not have been performed, or acquiesce in an act to which one otherwise would not have submitted. The total circumstances, including the age of the victim, and the victim’s relationship to the defendant, are factors to consider in appraising the existence of duress. (2) “Menace” means any threat, declaration, or act that shows an intention to inflict an injury upon another. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 626, Sec. 17. (AB 1171) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA. PEN. CODE 13823.11. - Sexual Assault Reporting Process
CHAPTER 3. Criminal Justice Planning [13820 - 13825] ( Heading of Chapter 3 amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 618, Sec. 216. ) 13823.11. The minimum standards for the examination and treatment of victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, including child sexual abuse, and the collection and preservation of evidence therefrom include all of the following: (a) Law enforcement authorities shall be notified. (b) In conducting the medical evidentiary examination, the outline indicated in the form adopted pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13823.5 shall be followed. (c) Consent for a physical examination, treatment, and collection of evidence shall be obtained. (1) Consent to an examination for evidence of sexual assault shall be obtained prior to the examination of a victim of sexual assault and shall include separate written documentation of consent to each of the following: (A) Examination for the presence of injuries sustained as a result of the assault. (B) Examination for evidence of sexual assault and collection of physical evidence. (C) Photographs of injuries. (2) Consent to treatment shall be obtained in accordance with the usual policy of the hospital, clinic, sexual assault forensic examination team, or other emergency medical facility. (3) A victim of sexual assault shall be informed that the victim may refuse to consent to an examination for evidence of sexual assault, including the collection of physical evidence, but that a refusal is not a ground for denial of treatment of injuries and for possible pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, if the person wishes to obtain treatment and consents thereto. (4) Pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 6920) of Part 4 of Division 11 of the Family Code, a minor may consent to hospital, medical, and surgical care related to a sexual assault without the consent of a parent or guardian, and a minor may consent to, or withhold consent for, a medical evidentiary examination without the consent of a parent or guardian. (5) In cases of known or suspected child abuse, the consent of the parents or legal guardian is not required. In the case of suspected child abuse and nonconsenting parents, the consent of the local agency providing child protective services or the local law enforcement agency shall be obtained. Local procedures regarding obtaining consent for the examination and treatment of, and the collection of evidence from, children from child protective authorities shall be followed. (d) A history of sexual assault shall be taken. The history obtained in conjunction with the examination for evidence of sexual assault shall follow the outline of the form established pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13823.5 and shall include all of the following: (1) A history of the circumstances of the assault. (2) For a child, any previous history of child sexual abuse and an explanation of injuries, if different from that given by parent or person accompanying the child. (3) Physical injuries reported. (4) Sexual acts reported, whether or not ejaculation is suspected, and whether or not a condom or lubricant was used. (5) Record of relevant medical history. (e) (1) If indicated by the history of contact, a female victim of sexual assault shall be provided with the option of postcoital contraception by a physician or other health care provider. (2) Postcoital contraception shall be dispensed by a physician or other health care provider upon the request of the victim at no cost to the victim. (f) (1) Each adult and minor victim of sexual assault who consents to a medical evidentiary examination shall have a physical examination that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (A) Inspection of the clothing, body, and external genitalia for injuries and foreign materials. (B) Examination of the mouth, vagina, cervix, penis, anus, and rectum, as indicated. (C) Documentation of injuries and evidence collected. (2) Children shall not have internal vaginal or anal examinations unless absolutely necessary. This paragraph does not preclude careful collection of evidence using a swab. (g) The collection of physical evidence shall conform to the following procedures: (1) Each victim of sexual assault who consents to an examination for collection of evidence shall have the following items of evidence collected, except if the victim specifically objects: (A) Clothing worn during the assault. (B) Foreign materials revealed by an examination of the clothing, body, external genitalia, and pubic hair combings. (C) Swabs from the mouth, vagina, rectum, and penis, as indicated, to determine the presence or absence of semen. (D) If indicated by the history of contact, the victim’s urine and blood sample, for toxicology purposes, to determine if drugs or alcohol were used in connection with the assault. Toxicology results obtained pursuant to this paragraph shall not be admissible in any criminal or civil action or proceeding against a victim who consents to the collection of physical evidence pursuant to this paragraph. Except for purposes of prosecuting or defending the crime or crimes necessitating the examination specified by this section, any toxicology results obtained pursuant to this paragraph shall be kept confidential, may not be further disclosed, and shall not be required to be disclosed by the victim for any purpose not specified in this paragraph. The victim shall specifically be informed of the immunity and confidentiality safeguards provided by this subparagraph. (2) Each victim of sexual assault who consents to an examination for the collection of evidence shall have reference specimens taken, except if the victim specifically objects thereto. A reference specimen is a standard from which to obtain baseline information and may be retained for DNA comparison and analysis. Reference specimens may also be collected at a later time if they are needed. These specimens shall be taken in accordance with the standards of the local criminalistics laboratory. (3) Sexually transmitted infection testing and presumptive treatment based on current guidelines of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be provided, if indicated by the history of contact. Specimens for a pregnancy test shall be taken, if indicated by the history of contact and the age of the victim. Baseline testing for sexually transmitted infections shall be done for a child, a person with a disability, or a person who is residing in a long-term care facility, if forensically indicated. (4) (A) If indicated by the history of contact, a female victim of sexual assault shall be provided with the option of postcoital contraception by a physician or other health care provider. (B) Postcoital contraception shall be dispensed by a physician or other health care provider upon the request of the victim at no cost to the victim. (5) For a victim of sexual assault with an assault history of strangulation, best practices shall be followed for a complete physical examination and diagnostic testing to prevent adverse outcomes or morbidity and documentation on a supplemental medical evidentiary examination form. (h) Preservation and disposition of physical evidence shall conform to the following procedures: (1) All swabs shall be air-dried before packaging. (2) All items of evidence including laboratory specimens shall be clearly labeled as to the identity of the source and the identity of the person collecting them. (3) The evidence shall have a form attached which documents its chain of custody and shall be properly sealed. (4) The evidence shall be turned over to the proper law enforcement agency. (5) A hospital, clinic, or other emergency medical facility where medical evidentiary examinations are conducted shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for maintaining the confidentiality of medical evidentiary examination reports, including proper preservation and disposition of the reports if the examination program ceases operation, in order to prevent destruction of the medical evidentiary examination reports. (i) On or before January 1, 2021, a hospital, clinic, or other emergency medical facility at which medical evidentiary examinations are conducted shall implement a system to maintain medical evidentiary examination reports in a manner that facilitates their release only as required or authorized by law. This subdivision does not require a hospital, clinic, or other emergency medical facility to review a patient’s medical records prior to January 1, 2021, in order to separate medical evidentiary examination reports from the rest of the patient’s medical records. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 714, Sec. 8. (AB 538) Effective January 1, 2020.)
CA. PEN. CODE 679.02 - Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crimes
PART 1. OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS [25 - 680.4] ( Part 1 enacted 1872. ) TITLE 17. RIGHTS OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF CRIME [679 - 680.4] ( Title 17 added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1427, Sec. 1. ) 679.02. (a) The following rights are hereby established as the statutory rights of victims and witnesses of crimes: (1) To be notified as soon as feasible that a court proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed as a witness will not proceed as scheduled, provided the prosecuting attorney determines that the witness’ attendance is not required. (2) Upon request of the victim or a witness, to be informed by the prosecuting attorney of the final disposition of the case, as provided by Section 11116.10. (3) For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all sentencing proceedings, and of the right to appear, to reasonably express their views, have those views preserved by audio or video means as provided in Section 1191.16, and to have the court consider their statements, as provided by Sections 1191.1 and 1191.15. (4) For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all juvenile disposition hearings in which the alleged act would have been a felony if committed by an adult, and of the right to attend and to express their views, as provided by Section 656.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (5) Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of any parole eligibility hearing and of the right to appear, either personally as provided by Section 3043, or by other means as provided by Sections 3043.2 and 3043.25, to reasonably express their views, and to have their statements considered, as provided by Section 3043 of this code and by Section 1767 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (6) Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the crime was a homicide, to be notified of an inmate’s placement in a reentry or work furlough program, or notified of the inmate’s escape as provided by Section 11155. (7) To be notified that a witness may be entitled to witness fees and mileage, as provided by Section 1329.1. (8) For the victim, to be provided with information concerning the victim’s right to civil recovery and the opportunity to be compensated from the Restitution Fund pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13959) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Section 1191.2 of this code. (9) To the expeditious return of property that has allegedly been stolen or embezzled, when it is no longer needed as evidence, as provided by Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 1407) and Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 1417) of Title 10 of Part 2. (10) To an expeditious disposition of the criminal action. (11) To be notified, if applicable, in accordance with Sections 679.03 and 3058.8 if the defendant is to be placed on parole. (12) For the victim, upon request, to be notified of any pretrial disposition of the case, to the extent required by Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution. (A) A victim may request to be notified of a pretrial disposition. (B) The victim may be notified by any reasonable means available. This paragraph is not intended to affect the right of the people and the defendant to an expeditious disposition as provided in Section 1050. (13) For the victim, to be notified by the district attorney’s office of the right to request, upon a form provided by the district attorney’s office, and receive a notice pursuant to paragraph (14), if the defendant is convicted of any of the following offenses: (A) Assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy, oral copulation, or any violation of Section 264.1, 288, or 289, in violation of Section 220. (B) A violation of Section 207 or 209 committed with the intent to commit a violation of Section 261, 286, 287, 288, or 289, or former Section 262 or 288a. (C) Rape, in violation of Section 261. (D) Oral copulation, in violation of Section 287 or former Section 288a. (E) Sodomy, in violation of Section 286. (F) A violation of Section 288. (G) A violation of Section 289. (14) When a victim has requested notification pursuant to paragraph (13), the sheriff shall inform the victim that the person who was convicted of the offense has been ordered to be placed on probation, and give the victim notice of the proposed date upon which the person will be released from the custody of the sheriff. (b) The rights set forth in subdivision (a) shall be set forth in the information and educational materials prepared pursuant to Section 13897.1. The information and educational materials shall be distributed to local law enforcement agencies and local victims’ programs by the Victims’ Legal Resource Center established pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 13897) of Title 6 of Part 4. (c) Local law enforcement agencies shall make available copies of the materials described in subdivision (b) to victims and witnesses. (d) This section is not intended to affect the rights and services provided to victims and witnesses by the local assistance centers for victims and witnesses. (e) The court shall not release statements, made pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a), to the public prior to the statement being heard in court. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 626, Sec. 35. (AB 1171) Effective January 1, 2022.)