Local non-profit seeing increase in fear among clients as Menendez Brothers case reopens

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A local nonprofit focussed on helping victims of sexual assault is speaking out in light of the reopening of the Menendez Brothers case in Los Angeles.

Standing Together to End Sexual Assault, known as STESA of Santa Barbara, is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The nonprofit provides confidential counseling and support services to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones.

“We offer a 24 hour hot line … a way to provide accompaniment and advocacy to a survivors and their loved ones," said executive director Elsa Granados of STESA.

The longtime nonprofit, reaching 50 years of service is seeing more sexual assault victims struggling to find mental health services.

"What we’re seeing is the demand  increasing since we as a community started opening from Covid," said Granados. 

Since the reopening of the Menendez Brothers case in Los Angeles, STESA is seeing the needs among sexual assault victims intensifying. 

"What I can say is that when survivors, of sexual assault particular male survivors in which this is the case in the Menendez case  … come forward to disclose their experience of being sexually assaulted … it is very difficult," said Granados. 

Mental health Experts at STESA believe one of the biggest concerns is the disbelief that survivors face. 

"And you know when they are first disclosing to someone they disbelief can really impact how they move forward," said special populations coordinator Wendy Guzman of STESA.

STESA believes the forefront of the Menendez case is the murder of their parents. 

The other issue presented was that they were victims of sexual assault by their father.

"And I hope our community reserves judgement if they and they they treat them in a dignified way," said Granados. 

STESA hopes to continue empowering survivors and eliminating all forms of sexual violence in our community.