Standing Together to End Sexual Assault launches five‑year 'Raise the Bar' campaign in Isla Vista; seeks board participation

Elsa Granados, executive director of Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA), presented the "Raise the Bar" project to the Hialeah Community Services District Board, saying STESA secured a five‑year grant from the California Department of Public Health to mobilize Isla Vista around prevention of sexual assault associated with nightlife and overconsumption of alcohol.

"We have received funding for 5 years from the California Department of Public Health to conduct a community mobilization project here in Isla Vista," Granados said, and described the effort as a stakeholder‑driven process that could result in voluntary or regulatory measures depending on community feedback.

Granados traced the project to earlier nightlife outreach in 2015–2016, when STESA trained bar staff on identifying vulnerabilities tied to excess alcohol consumption, and to student research in 2022 that proposed pursuing a higher level of intervention such as an ordinance modeled on measures used elsewhere (Granados cited West Hollywood as an example). The grant, she said, allows STESA to convene stakeholders including Associated Students (AS), UCSB department staff, City College affiliates, Spanish‑speaking families and other Isla Vista organizations to consider prevention options and outreach.

STESA said the grant includes funds that will flow to Associated Students as the project's 501(c)(3) partner to support student‑facing activities. Granados described multiple committees—outreach and recruitment, policy, media/education—and asked the board to consider participating on the stakeholder group or on specific committees. She also said STESA will hold a town hall and other public meetings to gather community input before recommending any ordinance or mandatory requirement.

Board members and public commenters expressed support. One student‑area commenter said the AS president and vice president will serve on the stakeholder committee; STESA confirmed AS will receive some grant funds to administer student‑facing work. Granados asked for community input and cautioned the project will prioritize community‑led solutions and respect rights while centering survivor support.

No formal board motion or vote was recorded on the presentation; Granados requested advisory support and stakeholder participation. STESA plans further outreach events and a town hall to collect community input before taking policy steps.

Ending: STESA asked the board to consider an advisory role and to help connect STESA with students, Spanish‑speaking families and nightlife stakeholders. Granados left printed flyers and materials for the board and public; the board said it supports continuing the partnership and engagement.