The Coalition staff is dedicated to increasing awareness, as well as supporting and educating the community statewide about issues of domestic and sexual violence.

Public Awareness encompasses Community Education and Outreach. The main purpose is:

• To let the community know that domestic and sexual violence exist
• To what extent it exists
• How to recognize domestic and sexual violence
• And what services are available

Community Education increases the community's awareness of the issue and how to address it effectively. Community Education provides information to agencies or organizations about domestic & sexual violence, as well as resources and referral information for the purpose of working with someone who is experiencing violence.

Public Awareness Activities

OCADSV regularly develops statewide public awareness campaigns and supports initiatives. We work in conjunction with national domestic and sexual violence and stalking resource centers to coordinate state activities to be in alignment with and thus supported by hat is happening nationally:

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in October
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April
• Child Abuse Prevention Month in April
• Stalking Awareness Month in January
• Women of Color Awareness Day as a part of Women's History Month Activities.

OCADSV provides information and technical assistance to support programs various public awareness activities. Some examples are: clothesline project, concerts, media campaigns, poetry slams, rallies/speak outs, Silent Witnesses, Take Back the Night March, theater productions, video series, vigils, and more.

OCADSV provides support and guidance to its membership regarding media and public relations. In order to keep our membership, community partners, and the rest of the state informed as to current issues, OCADSV creates and distributes a quarterly newsletter, Mariposa.