
The Sexual Assault Detail receives referrals for victim assistance from the Oxnard Police Department’s Patrol Division, CFS, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, as well as other law enforcement agencies in the greater Ventura County Area. They work closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office division of the Family Protection Unit and the victim/witness advocates in preparing investigations for criminal prosecution. Most importantly, through the Multi-Disciplinary Team response (MDT), they attempt to bring a broad range of services to the victim.
The Sexual Assault Detail is a participating and founding member of the Ventura County Multi-Disciplinary Team. The Family Justice Center is a place and a process that provides for a joint investigation of child abuse cases by professionals from multiple disciplines and agencies, with special emphasis on child interview skills. Child victims of sexual abuse are interviewed at the Family Justice Center by trained investigators in a child-friendly setting. The goal is to reduce the trauma suffered by the victims, enhance the truth-finding process and increase the successful prosecution of offenders.
Sexual Assault investigators conduct thorough and detailed follow-up investigations of all sexual assaults, including rapes, child molests, incest, physical child abuse, elder abuse, and missing persons, as reported to and under the jurisdiction of the City of Oxnard. Detectives respond to victims’ calls for assistance 24 hours a day/365 days per year. Each year, the Sexual Assault Detail investigates hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases and conducts numerous child abuse inquiries.
Investigators understand the difficulty and empathize with the trauma placed upon the victims of sexual assault, and the investigators’ approach mandates sensitivity to the victims’ needs. Victims are encouraged to use our partners’ services, including those in social services, medical, and the legal community. We hope these referrals will empower victims to regain control of their lives.
The Sexual Assault Detail includes investigators who are members of the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (LA ICAC). This task force includes law enforcement officers and prosecutors from local, state, and national levels who work together to reduce the online sexual exploitation of children. The unit has Deputy District Attorneys trained in prosecuting the exploitation of children on the internet. Efforts include online investigations of internet predators, aggressive prosecution of offenders, and community outreach to schools and parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual touching by one person to another, without consent, under threat of force or fear. This also includes the inability to consent due to intoxication, unconsciousness, a disability, or being too young to consent. Sexual Assault includes:
- Penetration of the victim’s body by any body part or foreign object, also known as rape
- Attempted rape
- Child molestation and incest
- Unwanted sexual touching or fondling
Rape is defined as unwanted penetration, whether that is oral, anal, or vaginal. Sexual assault refers to any unwanted sexual contact, including fondling or molestation.
- Penetration of the victim’s body by any body part or foreign object, also known as rape
- Attempted rape
- Child molestation and incest
- Unwanted sexual touching or fondling
Consent is informed, freely and actively given, mutually understandable words or actions that indicate a willingness to participate in a mutually agreed upon sexual activity. If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and incoherent or if you are unconscious or asleep—you CANNOT consent to sex! *NOTE: CONSENT CAN BE REVOKED/STOPPED AT ANYTIME!!*
What are some examples of consent or denied consent?
Ways to consent or say “YES”:
- say YES (Out loud! Enthusiastic!)
- I like that
- That feels good
- I’m okay with this…
- Verbalize communication
- Initiate an action
- Participate willingly
What can denied consent or “NO” sound like?
- No! (loud or quietly)
- I guess…if you want me to
- Can we slow down?
- I’m not ready for this
- Pushing/turning away
- Silence
- Crying
- Can you stop?
- If you are unsure—ASK!!!
- Have open communication. Reassure them they will be okay, they are not in trouble, and that it is NOT their FAULT!
- Educate them about good touch and bad touch.
- Believe them if they ever say someone touched them.
- Know the name, address, and number of the people taking care of your children.
- Know the signs, such as changes in behavior, bed wetting, change in personal hygiene, or hyper-sexuality.
- If you do not have any family or friends in the area where you can be safe, there are local emergency shelters available.
- The Coalition for Family Harmony (805) 656-1111
- Interface Children Family Services (800) 339-9597
- Lighthouse (805) 385-7200
- Salvation Army (805)648-5032
- Rescue Mission (men only) (805) 487-1234
There are many ways that you can help a friend or family member who has been a victim of rape or sexual violence:
- BELIEVE your loved one.
- LISTEN and ask what they need at the moment.
- SUPPORT what your loved one decides to do—even if you don’t agree with their situation.
- EMPOWER your loved one.
- ENCOURAGE them to get support and report to law enforcement if they are willing, but do not pressure them.
Anytime a spouse/partner forces you to do any unwanted sexual acts, that is considered spousal/marital rape.
The Coalition for Family Harmony offers comprehensive counseling services to survivors of sexual assault and their non-offending family members. Their MFT Interns and trainees provide individual, family and group counseling services. They offer support groups for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Services include:
- 10 free sessions of counseling for victims and non-offending family members
- Crisis intervention services
- Advocacy
- Support groups
- Accompaniment to medical exam, law enforcement interview, and/ or accompaniment to court
- All sexual assault services are free and confidential
No. Adults may choose not to report to law enforcement. However, if a minor discloses sexual assault, a report MUST be made to law enforcement or Child Protective Services (CPS).
If you are/were a victim of sexual assault, but are/were here undocumented, know you still have rights. You cannot be deported if you report sexual assault to law enforcement.
A survivor of sexual assault has the right to:
- Report to law enforcement
- Choose not to report or report at a later time (valuable evidence may be lost)
- Request an Advocate and a support person of your choice during the medical exam and interview process
- Choose to participate in all or part of the medical exam and interview
- A free Abbreviated Exam (exam with NO police report or investigation)
If you have been Sexually Assaulted:
- Get to a safe place or call 9-1-1
- Do not shower, bathe, douche or change clothes
- Do not eat, drink, smoke, or brush your teeth
- Do not touch anything the perpetrator may have touched
- If you are in need of medical attention, please go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
Disclaimer: Hospitals, medical doctors, and nurses are mandated reporters in California, so a report will be made if you disclose you have been sexually assaulted. If you do NOT want to make a report, but still want to collect evidence, there is still another option. If you do not want to collect evidence and need medical attention, you may go to your primary doctor and get a wellness checkup.
- Report to Law Enforcement
- Reports can be made at any time
- Report anonymously (through the Rape Crisis Center)
- Abbreviated Exam: Victims of sexual assault who do NOT want to file a police report, but may want to report later, have the right to a free forensic exam where a trained nurse can collect evidence. This exam is called an Abbreviated Exam. Call the 24-hour Bilingual Hotline 1-800-300-2181 and be connected to a Sexual Assault Counselor that can speak to you about your options.
- Choose not to Report. You have a choice to report or not