Founding

Verity was founded in 1974 as Women Against Rape, a grassroots organization for those traumatized by the rape of women. The agency included a phone number that women and survivors of assault could call for emotional support.

Our crisis line is still the only one of its kind in Sonoma County, and it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Today Verity is managed by a Board of Directors numbering up to 12, with daily activities performed by a paid staff of 24 and over 70 volunteers.

In the past 40 years, the organization has undergone many changes to be able to provide more services for the people of our community. Our staff and volunteers all complete extensive training, learn specific ways to help victims–which include not only women and girls, but survivors of all genders–and the families of victims.

They also learn about the devastating effects of rape trauma syndrome, the positive or negative impacts of law enforcement and court procedures, both physical and mental health issues, and all the resources available in our community.

This is just a part of the training and information of each of our staff members and volunteers receive on an ongoing basis. These individuals give their time to answer the crisis line and are also available to come with the victims and their families when asked. This can be for any number of reasons: to make the police report, to make a court appearance and testimony, to have a medical exam at the hospital, or to receive any legal support that could be needed.

Timeline

For the past 45 years, the organization has evolved past mainly being a crisis line. We have expanded our services to include three priority areas of development: education/prevention, counseling, and crisis intervention. Verity staff and volunteers complete extensive training, learning the specific skills that provide help and support for more adults, elders, children, and youth whose lives have been affected by rape and sexual violence.

Today Verity is managed by a board of directors composed exclusively for the community volunteers, while work and daily activities are carried out by 25 paid employees and more than 70 volunteers.

You can download a PDF of the Verity Timeline by clicking here.