Community leaders, advocates, and law enforcement officials gathered Tuesday morning to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month, highlighting how sexual violence impacts children, law enforcement cases, and survivors navigating the legal system while calling for stronger partnerships across Kern County.

Open Door Network CEO Lauren Skidmore opened the press conference by sharing that this month is a time to support survivors by elevating their voices and for advocates and community members to recommit to prevention, healing, and justice.

“Sexual violence impacts individuals of every age, background, and neighborhood,” said Skidmore. “But behind every statistic is a person, their story, and a path towards healing that deserves our full support. At the Open Door Network, we walk along survivors and victims every day.” 

Skidmore highlighted the services provided by the Open Door Network, including shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, and long-term support. She noted the organization is one of only two nonprofits in Kern County designated as a Rape Crisis Center. 

The Rape Crisis Program Service Standards were established by the State Advisory Committee on Sexual Assault Victim Services to reduce the level of trauma experienced by sexual assault survivors through provisions of comprehensive and supportive services.

This designation allows the Open Door Network to serve as a subject matter expert in supporting victims and survivors.

“Every day, our team members ensure that survivors are not alone as they navigate medical care, legal systems, housing instability, and the emotional toll of violence,” she said. “We also work to break cycles of harm through prevention, education, and community partnerships, because awareness must lead to action.”

Newly appointed Bakersfield Police Chief Brent Stratton emphasized the department’s ongoing partnership with the Open Door Network and the challenges law enforcement faces when responding to sexual assault and domestic violence cases.

“We have 12 detectives assigned to the Special Victims Unit that work on sexual assault and domestic violence-related cases, meaning there’s a couple hundred of these cases that occur every year,” Stratton said. “Between 80 and 85 percent of these cases, the suspect is known to the victims. It’s someone that has access to them.”

Stratton noted that trauma often makes investigations more complex, requiring multiple interviews to gather details.

“Many times it takes the detectives two and three interviews to be able to speak with the victims in order to be able to get a full understanding of what occurred due to the trauma that they faced,” he said.

He added that collaboration with advocates can help strengthen cases and improve outcomes for survivors. 

“Being able to have advocates there with our detectives allows them to be able to build stronger cases to be able to work on apprehending those that would continue to prey on people in our community,” said Stratton.

Commander Joshua Nicholson of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office echoed the importance of partnerships in addressing these crimes.

“We at the Sheriff’s Office believe it is critical to have partnerships with community organizations, much like the Open Door Network, to provide critical and needed services to the victims of this county,” Nicholson said.

He added that collaboration helps bring accountability and justice.

Speakers also addressed the connection between sexual assault and child abuse, as April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month. Ashley Vorhees, executive director of CASA of Kern County, spoke about the prevalence and long-term impact of child sexual abuse.

“Today, I want to speak specifically about children, because when we talk about sexual assault, we must never forget that some of the most vulnerable victims are the youngest among us,” said Vorhees. “Child sexual abuse is a widespread and heartbreaking reality across our country, and sadly, our community is not immune.”

Vorhees shared that research shows that nearly one in four girls and one in six boys in the United States will experience sexual abuse or assault before the age of 18.

“These numbers are not just statistics—they represent real children,” she said. “Children who deserve safety, protection, and the opportunity to grow up free from harm. Through our work at CASA, we see this reality firsthand.”

Vorhees said about 10% of CASA’s cases involve sexual abuse, with numbers continuing to rise. She emphasized the lasting effects of trauma.

“The trauma of abuse does not end in childhood. It impacts a lifetime, affecting their mental health, physical health, their relationships, education, and a child’s sense of self-worth,” she said. “For many survivors, the road to healing is long and complicated, and that is why advocacy matters so deeply.”

She urged the community to take an active role in prevention by standing together, listening to and believing children, supporting them, and doing everything in their power to prevent abuse before it happens.

“Sexual Assault Awareness Month reminds us that silence protects perpetrators, not children,” Vorhees said. “When we raise our voices, we educate ourselves, we advocate for survivors, and hold offenders accountable. We create safer communities for every child.”

Valerie Rivas, founder of Live Resilient Life, spoke about the emotional toll of violence and the need for community-driven healing.

“This past year leading into this new year, we’ve lost so many lives of women to violent acts,” Rivas said. “This is not just about awareness. This is a call to feel again—to feel the cry of the broken, to hear the silence behind the smiles. To recognize that behind closed doors, in our own city, in our neighborhoods, there are stories of pain, survival, and unseen battles being fought every single day. This is not someone else’s issue. This is ours.”

Rivas called on community members to take action by supporting survivors and local organizations.

“The cycle of abuse continues when silence is louder than support. When shame outweighs compassion, when people don’t know where to turn, or if anyone will truly see them,” she said. “At Live Resilient Life, we believe that healing happens in safe spaces, in community, and through people who are willing to link arms and say, ‘You don’t have to do this alone anymore.’”

Rivas urged the community to listen without judgment and to educate themselves on the realities of trauma and abuse. She also encouraged organizations to create safe spaces for people and their stories and to speak up when something isn’t right.

“Meeting this unmet need, it doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence,” said Rivas. “It requires people like you, like me, that are willing to show up, to care, and to stand in the gap.”

Skidmore closed the event by encouraging community involvement and reminding attendees of available resources, including the Open Door Network’s walk-in services and 24-hour hotline.

“This month and every month, we stand with survivors,” she said. “Survivors, we believe you and we support you. And we are committed to ensuring that healing is not just possible, but accessible.”