Community Comes Together to Support Survivors at Annual Violence Prevention Seminar

On Thursday, October 9, the Violence Prevention Partnership hosted its 14th annual Violence Prevention Seminar, drawing a sold-out crowd of 225 attendees from schools, law enforcement, and community-based organizations. This year's theme, "Standing Together to Support Survivors," focused on strengthening services and support for individuals impacted by violence in our community.

The seminar opened with updates from the Santa Rosa Police Department's (SRPD) Lt. Tommy Isachsen and Violence Prevention Program Manager Danielle Ronshausen, who shared insights on the current landscape of community violence and the Partnership's efforts over the past year.

Keynote speaker Jesse Leon, author of I'm Not Broken and a survivor of human trafficking, delivered a powerful message of resilience and hope, inspiring attendees with his personal journey.

Afternoon breakout sessions offered a range of topics, including:

• Fentanyl and Gangs 101 by SRPD
• Victim-Centered Restorative Justice with Restorative Resources
• Statewide Violence Prevention Trends from the California Violence Prevention Network
• A Human Trafficking Panel hosted by Redemption House of the Bay Area
• Support Services for Survivors presented by the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office and the Family Justice Center

This impactful event was made possible through the generous support of the Peter J. Haas Foundation, The Individual and Family Support Network, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, and Sonoma County Juvenile Probation.