FAQ for Law Enforcement

FAQ for Law Enforcement

Lumina Alliance offers guidance and resources to help law enforcement support survivors.

This webpage can help law enforcement navigate the resources that can be provide by Lumina Alliance and other community partners. The state-certified advocates at Lumina Alliance are here to answer questions and support anyone in need of assistance, including healthcare providers, in San Luis Obispo County at any time.

Call our 24-hour crisis and information line at (805) 545-8888 or email [email protected] for more information. Expect a response within two business days when reaching out via email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Services

Advocates work closely with survivors to help with a whole range of needs by setting short and long-term goals. Goals may include addressing immediate needs; assistance in obtaining housing, employment, and income; and other assistance that helps the survivor move towards self-sufficiency and independence.

Licensed Therapists and supervised Associates and Therapist-trainees provide individual, group, and family therapy to children over five years old, teens, and adults impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence. All services are confidential. 

If a victim is interested in therapy, please have victim call the our 24-hour crisis and information line at (805) 545-8888. Victim can also come to one of our offices that offer in-person services during business hours (9 AM – 5 PM). 

For more information please refer to our Therapy & Support Page.

Lumina Alliance partners with the San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) to provide quality legal services at no charge to survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking. To learn more about SLOLAF and their services, visit their website at SLOLAF.org.

Shelter

Lumina Alliance offers a family shelter to victims who have recently experienced intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault/abuse and are fleeing imminent danger. Shelter is provided to victims, regardless of age, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. 

Lumina Alliance shelter is a communal living setting. Victims that become a guest in one of homes will have a private bedroom and will share all other spaces with other victims. Victims are also able to bring some pets or service animals into shelter.

Lumina Alliance has two shelters, San Luis Obispo and Atascadero. If victim is eligible they will be placed in the shelter that has availability. 

To fill out a Shelter Eligibility Questionnaire please have victim call the our 24-hour crisis and information line at (805) 545-8888. Victim can also come to one of our offices that offer in-person services during business hours (9 AM – 5 PM) to fill out a Shelter Eligibility Questionnaire. 

Emergency shelter will be provided to eligible clients upon request when a room is available. Each client will be considered individually and determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

Requirements:

    • Client has been residing in San Luis Obispo County.
    • Client is displaced due to an incident of intimate partner violence or sexual assault/abuse.
    • Clients are able to live independently as our shelters are not staffed 24 hours a day.
    • Client is over 18 years of age OR an emancipated minor (proof of emancipation required).
    • The client can participate in a sober and communal living environment.

Lumina Alliance provides a motel stay on a case-by-case basis to victims of intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault/abuse with safe, short-term sleeping accommodations in cases where a shelter stay is either not available or they are not interested in a long-term solution such as shelter. 

Eligibility: 

  •  Victim has filled out a shelter eligibility  questionnaire and has been deemed eligible. There is a room available at one of the shelters but it is after shelter intake hours and the victim will be entering the shelter the following business day. 
  • Victim is in need of short-term housing (1-3 nights) because they have a plan in place or live out of the area. 

To determine of a victim is eligible for a hotel stay please have victim call the our 24-hour crisis and information line at (805) 545-8888.

Lumina Alliance does not have a waitlist, so if the victim is eligible and we do not have a room available the victim will need to continue calling our 24-hour crisis and information line at (805) 545-8888. When a room opens it will be offered to the first eligible victim that calls in.

For other shelters and community resources in San Luis Obispo County, the victim can call 2-1-1, which is free and confidential, or visiting 211slo.org

Accompaniments

Advocates can be reached on  24-hour crisis and information line at (805) 545-8888. Advocates can provide accompaniments during business hours. During after hours we have trained volunteers and staff that are available to accompany a client. 

During the hours of 12 AM and 7 AM accompaniments will be provided over the phone, unless they are a scheduled Forensic Medical Exam at the SART office. 

  • Hospital emergency rooms (other medical locations such as urgent care)
  • SART office: during the Forensic Medical Exam
  • Law Enforcement office in San Luis Obispo county
  • District Attorney’s office and Victim Witness 
  • Child forensic interviews
  • San Luis Obispo county court proceedings

Lumina Alliance advocates, providing unconditional support, clarify procedures and answering questions, provide information and referrals to community resources. 

Call us

24-hour crisis and information line: (805) 545-8888
Free interpretation is available in most languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).

For information, please visit our contact page.
For a comprehensive list of county services and immediate assistance, dial 211.