Community resources available following alleged sexual assault in Santa Barbara

A Santa Barbara man faces two charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault and the incident is sending shockwaves through the community.

Santa Barbara police made the arrest after extensive investigation and victim advocacy groups are speaking out about the resources available in the community.

“My heart rate just went up just thinking about it,” said Santa Barbara resident Hanna Koehler.

An alleged sexual assault and subsequent arrest has community members like Koehler on edge. “You never think that it could happen in your community or to someone that you know so definitely probably going to change the way I walk home at night, go out and stuff like that,” she said.

Santa Barbara police received a call on Tuesday around noon stating that a woman had been sexually assaulted in the 2700 block of Miradero Drive.

“It is unnerving to have a neighbor experience this kind of a crime but they can turn to us and we have counselors available, trained and available to assist at a moments notice,” said Elsa Granados, Executive Director of Standing Together to End Sexual Assault.

According to police, the caller reported that the suspect was still at the scene and when multiple units arrived they arrested 31-year-old Elpidio Monterrosa.

“Sexual assault is the most under-reported violent crime and so the fact that there is an identifiable perpetrator is not something that frequently happens,” said Granados.

Standing Together to End Sexual Assault’s Executive Director is glad to see the alleged perpetrator being held accountable but her thoughts are with the survivor.

“We are an organization that understands where survivors are coming from and we can help debunk some of those myths that are out in the community about sexual assault so the survivor can feel empowered and move in with their life,” said Granados.

The victim advocacy group says a person can heal from sexual assault, pointing to available resources like counseling and their 24-hour hotline. If this story is a triggering event for you, help is available.

“People hear about someone else’s experience or a trauma similar to theirs, so it takes them back to that moment where they were assaulted when they were traumatized and so we want to make sure that people have support are able to reach out,” said Granados.

Standing Together to End Sexual Assualt is here for you if you need help. They say coming to them doesn’t even mean you have to report but help is out there, whatever that looks like for you and your situation.

Call 1-805-564-3696 24-hours a day.