We are grateful for the opportunity to join NBCLA’s Today in L.A. to share insight on teen dating violence during the pandemic as well as resources available for parents and victims. Click here to watch the live interview. Looking for additional resources on teen dating violence? Click here to access our teen tool kit or call our emergency hotline at 877-854-3594.
Dear Human Options Family, Over the last couple of weeks, we have watched individuals come together across the US, triggered by the tragic and inexcusable death of George Floyd. Our hearts are heavy with the understanding of the fear, pain, and sense of hopelessness caused by violence. Human Options is committed to ensuring that every person lives free from fear regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. We believe that dignity is a basic human right and we condemn all acts of violence, discrimination and hate. We recognize that disparities in communities of color create barriers to survivors’ safety. We will continue to advocate for racial equity by listening, learning…
The Daily Pilot recently featured an article from CEO, Maricela Rios-Faust, on the impact the court closures have on victims and survivors of relationship violence. Click here to read more!
The OC Register recently featured an article from our CEO, Maricela Rios-Faust, on the impact COVID-19 is having on victims of Relationship Violence and how Human Options is responding. Click here to read more!
Human Options’ Safe Options for Seniors (SOS) program provides services to seniors in Orange County who have experienced abuse. During this scary and uncertain time, some seniors are experiencing feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Our incredible Teen Ambassadors were there to help! They wrote letters of encouragement and support to the seniors in our SOS program to let them know that they are here for them. Hello, I have been a Human Options Teen Ambassador for about 3 years now. I am currently in my first year college. I know with times like this, uncertainty comes in, but I am here to let you know that I hear you, I…
We Are Here for Victims of Relationship Violence Who Aren’t Safer at Home As COVID-19 restrictions tighten, it’s creating the perfect storm for incidents of relationship violence to surge. Stay-at-home mandates, unemployment, school closures and other factors are adding to the overwhelming stress and volatility of already abusive relationships. Staying home for victims of relationship violence can be just as dangerous. What do you do if you’re trapped in the most terrifying place — your own home? As abusive partners feel more justified to escalate their isolation tactics, it becomes harder for victims to report it. Victims generally wait to be alone before they seek help. They wait for their…
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) During the month of TDVAM, Human Options and Santa Ana High School partnered together to teach Santa Ana High School students on relationship violence prevention. Santa Ana teacher, Tom Erikson, opened up his Criminal Justice Class to Human Options’ staff member, Marissa Presley, to teach students about relationship violence, the warning signs, and what healthy relationships look like. With 1 in 3 teens experiencing some type of dating abuse, adolescents are at a higher risk of experiencing intimate partner violence than any other age group. Research has shown that dating violence is predictive of more serious physical abuse in future relationships and…
Multiple studies have found that domestic violence survivors have higher-than-average rates of suicidal thoughts, with as many as 23 percent of survivors having attempted suicide compared to 3 percent among populations with no prior domestic violence exposure. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Please remember, pain is not permanent. You have purpose. If you’re hurting, help is here. Call 1-800-273-TALK for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. #BeWellOC #NSPW19
Human Options, an Orange County-based nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of relationship violence, is pleased to announce it received the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. Approximately only a quarter of rated charities received this top distinction demonstrating the nonprofit’s strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. “It is such an honor to receive Charity Navigator’s four-star recognition for Human Options’ strong financial health, and our commitment to accountability and transparency,” said Maricela Rios-Faust, CEO of Human Options. “Our Board of Directors and employees are dedicated to creating an organizational culture that is efficient as possible to accomplish our mission to end…
Will you answer their call for safety? Prior to leaving her abusive marriage and relocating, Susan’s husband installed a malicious application onto her phone which automatically installed onto all her Apple devices. Since she was using the same iCloud account for her cell phone, iPads, and MacBook, Susan’s husband was able to see what she and her kids were doing on their iPads, turn on the location feature to find out where they were living, and even eavesdrop on her cell phone conversations. Susan began to notice that her phone battery was draining fast, and that her husband knew things that only someone who had access to her devices would…
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