Sexual Assault in California is a very broad term, it includes the definitions of rape, sodomy, horrible acts of sexual penetration, oral copulation, sexual battery (when someone is unlawfully restrained, unconscious, or disabled), unlawful sexual acts procured by fraud or false pretenses, aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual acts with a child 10 years or younger, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 18. 

Victims of sexual assault are finally coming forward but they are not getting the recognition or help that they truly need. Truckee High School sexual assault survivors, who have asked to remain anonymous for this story, report being scared to come forward because of the detrimental mental health strain and lack of feeling in control. 

Many times, teens will research ways to get help on their own without involving anyone because they do not want anyone worrying about them. However, while at school they cannot get the resources they need because of blocked “web” pages. Sexual Abuse Attorneys, are among the blocked websites. By blocking websites that could potentially lead victims to helpful resources, students are often left in the dark and the school sends the wrong message.

Sexual assaults are not always what they appear to be. Many times, people only believe that women are the victims, while they do make up the majority, it can and does happen to anyone. According to RAINN, 1 in 53 boys are assaulted.  

One instance was Anthony (Tony) Coronado-Smith being charged for sexual misconduct and sexual battery of minors on the Truckee Pop Warner football team. The assaults began in 2011 and went on until 2018. Sierra Sun stated, “Coronado-Smith, along with an accomplice, allegedly restrained the victim against their will for the purpose of sexual abuse, according to court documents.”. Coronado-Smith was the president of the organization and was deeply trusted in the community. Although no one ever thought he would be the kind of person to even hurt a fly and yet, police found child pornography at his residence. 

Parents must be careful of who our children are surrounded by, background checks as well as psych evaluations, should be absolutely mandatory for all personal working with and around children. When we let whoever wants the job, have the job, we are putting our children in direct danger. 

Every 133 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in the state of California. The Women’s Center Youth and Family Services stated “Approximately two-thirds of rapes were committed by someone known to the victim. 73% of sexual assaults were perpetrated by a non-stranger. 38% of rapists are a friend or acquaintance. 28% are an intimate.” Truckee is not immune to this problem, and local survivors say more could be done to protect our youth.

Sources

– Sierra Sun 

– Women’s center Youth and Family Services

– RAINN