July 29, 2024

At the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC), we are fortunate to have a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a difference in our community. One such person is Giselle Lazaro, MCRCC’s Prevention Educator. We had the opportunity to sit down with Giselle and learn more about their journey, motivations, and the invaluable work they do.

Giselle was born and raised in Salinas and they have a deep love for their hometown. They are a creative soul, deeply into music, movies, and YouTube culture. Giselle is also an artist, engaging in various forms of art such as painting, drawing, and fiber arts like crocheting. Their hands-on creativity extends to making quality cups of coffee for the people they care for, a skill they honed while working as a barista through college.

Giselle's passion for social justice and ending sexual violence is the driving force behind their work at MCRCC. After graduating from UC Davis in 2022, Giselle knew they wanted to return to Salinas and contribute to their community through advocacy work. Although initially unfamiliar with victim services and the trauma work associated with MCRCC’s Prevention Educator role they were motivated to learn about this new opportunity. Giselle believed in their capability to effectively teach the prevention aspect to youth and in their ability to support survivors through empathy, compassion, and understanding.

The initial months as a prevention educator were a time of learning for Giselle, especially working with high school students. However, Giselle’s transparency about feelings and willingness to admit mistakes helped build trust and foster open communication with the youth. Through this process, Giselle learned and taught topics surrounding consent, healthy relationships and the spectrum of sexual violence and how to facilitate these crucial conversations in a trauma informed manner. One of Giselle's favorite topics to discuss with students is the concept of healthy relationships. They believe that understanding healthy relationships, whether romantic or platonic, is beneficial for youth development. Giselle explained another key topic they enjoy to teach is consent, which, despite simplicity, has complexities due to the existing sexual violence culture. They enjoy delving into the complexities of the topic by addressing youth's questions and curiosities in a safe space. One of the challenges Gisell can face sometimes is presenting at high schools, where students may have varying levels of prior education on the topics. At times, the lack of emphasis on sexual education in schools can hinder the efficiency of our trauma-informed approach. However, Giselle and the team strive to create a safe space in every classroom to facilitate these important conversations.

Currently, as the most experienced member of the Prevention Education team, Giselle finds great joy in discussing topics related to prevention at all ages. You can find Giselle talking to kiddos in kindergarten about safety, like the swimsuit rule or you can find them at the high schools facilitating the Our Voice Club, organizing with students about Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Recently, with the help of a new grant from the California Department of Public Health and in partnership with The Epicenter, the Prevention Education team has found an ambitious new way to support the county’s proactive youth. The Monterey County Youth Coalition for Gender Equity (MCYCGE) is a coalition that will be composed of high school students from all over Monterey County, with the guidance of Giselle and other members working together to create safer spaces and dismantle harmful gender norms in our community. The aim is to positively impact the community through long-term cultural and policy change. The group will meet once a month to discuss topics such as gender equity, non-conforming gender inclusivity, preventing sexual violence, and supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Giselle emphasizes the importance of these safety topics through conversations to foster a community free from gender discrimination and sexual violence, so students and everyone in the community feel safe, supported, and believed. Giselle shares that modeling safety and healthy behaviors and being open about mistakes is crucial for any adults working with young people. Giselle finds the trust of their current and future students and being able to be that safe person for them is the most rewarding aspect of their job.

With all of the important work Giselle does for our community, self-care is essential. They prioritize time with friends and family, engaging in community activities, and enjoying alone time to recharge. Giselle is also a firm believer in the therapeutic power of releasing emotions via crying, along with working out, listening to music, crocheting, watching TV and YouTube, hiking, and gardening. Giselle is connected with several organizations in our community and would like to give a shout out to: The Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS), a research study they have been part of since before birth. The Epicenter, which provides services for LGBTQ youth. Recognize Violence Change Culture (RVCC), who supports the MCRCC team with amazing outreach material and Palenke Arts, who they hope to collaborate more with in the future.

Giselle's dedication to prevention education and their passion for social justice makes them an invaluable asset to our team at MCRCC. We are grateful for their commitment to creating a safer, more informed community.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the Monterey County Youth Coalition for Gender Equity (MCYCGE) coalition, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG2w0q3RAXUvASj1LkZ-00j8X8PEsd...