Strengthening Communities, One Survivor at a Time.
Welcome to VEST, your dedicated Victims Empowerment Support Team in Solano and Sonoma Counties. Contact us today to get immediate support.
Our Mission
At VEST, our mission is to minimize violence against all victims and their families of domestic and sexual abuse, and to improve their quality of life through education, support, advocacy, and empowerment.
Who We Serve
VEST serves adults, children, youth, and families throughout Solano County, Sonoma County, and Oakland who have been impacted by domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual violence, and polyvictimization.
We recognize that survivors may experience more than one form of victimization. Domestic violence can intersect with sexual violence, stalking, coercive control, psychological and emotional abuse, financial abuse, child exposure to violence, and other forms of trauma. Our trauma-informed approach is designed to respond to the whole survivor—not just one type of abuse.
Violence and abuse know no boundaries. They can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, education, immigration status, or economic circumstances.
Whether someone is experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence within an intimate relationship, or multiple and overlapping forms of victimization, VEST is here to help survivors and their children move toward safety, healing, stability, and empowerment.
All survivors deserve to be heard. All survivors deserve support.
VEST Responds to the Whole Survivor
VEST provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered support for individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual violence/sexual abuse, and polyvictimization. We recognize that survivors' experiences are complex and that someone seeking assistance for domestic violence may also disclose sexual violence, stalking, coercive control, or other forms of victimization.
Our goal is to eliminate barriers to help by providing confidential advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling and therapy, support groups, court and legal advocacy, education, referrals, and coordinated community-based services designed around each survivor's individual needs.
You do not have to experience only one type of abuse to ask for help. VEST is here to support the whole survivor.
Recognizing Abuse
Domestic violence rarely occurs in isolation. Survivors may experience multiple, overlapping forms of victimization—including physical violence, sexual abuse and sexual violence, stalking, threats, coercive control, psychological abuse, and financial abuse. When a person experiences more than one form of violence or victimization, this may be referred to as polyvictimization.
Sexual violence can also occur within an intimate partner relationship. Consent is required in every relationship, including marriage and dating relationships. Sexual coercion, forced sexual activity, unwanted sexual contact, and rape by a current or former intimate partner are forms of sexual violence and may occur alongside other forms of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence + Sexual Violence: The Impact
Current national CDC data demonstrates how closely intimate partner violence and sexual violence intersect:
More than 1 in 3 women in the United States (34% nearly 43.5 million women) have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
Among U.S. women:
19.7% have experienced contact sexual violence by an intimate partner
22.5% have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner
12.2% have experienced stalking by an intimate partner
Nearly 1 in 3 women (29.9%) experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and experienced at least one related impact
Men are also affected. More than 1 in 6 men—approximately 20.7 million—have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
These statistics remind us that survivors cannot always be placed into a single category of “domestic violence victim” or “sexual assault victim.” A survivor may experience multiple forms of violence at the same time or throughout their lifetime, requiring services that address the whole person and the full impact of trauma.
Abuse takes many forms, including:
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Coercive Control
Financial Abuse
Stalking and Threats
Understanding these patterns is the first step toward breaking free and seeking help.
How We Can Help
-
Crisis Intervention
-
Counseling and Support Groups
-
Confidential Advocacy
-
Educational Programs
-
Community Outreach
Meet Our Team
-
Tanya Brownrigg, Founder
-
Edna White, Crisis Line Manager
How You Can Help
By supporting the Victims Empowerment Support Team, you provide vital assistance to adults and children in our community who are escaping domestic violence, s and dealing with the trauma. VEST is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your tax deductible donation goes directly to services we provide. Click the link below to learn more about how you can help.
Get Help Now
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please know that help is available. If you are in immediate risk of physical harm, please call 911 immediately.
Email Us: info@vestsolano.org
Call Our Office: (707) 247-5521