Who We Are
Rape Trauma Services (RTS) was founded in 1995 to respond to incidents of sexualized violence
as well as other forms of abuse. RTS is the offshoot of rape counseling services previously
provided as a program of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention of San Mateo County. We
are the only organization in San Mateo County, with a population of more than 700,000, working
to prevent sexual assault, end cycles of violence, and support trauma survivors. RTS was
founded on the belief that there is a relationship between all forms of violence, cruelty,
exploitation and institutional oppression (e.g. sexism, racism, heterosexism, among others).
We also believe that personal healing is a life-long process and a key to individual well-being,
effective relationships and thus meaningful political change. RTS was founded to
provide services that promote individual and community healing from the trauma that results
from sexualized violence.