Crime Victims United Launches the California Survivor Action Network (CSAN)
New statewide initiative marks a new era of digital advocacy, survivor empowerment, and community engagement
AUBURN, Calif.— Crime Victims United (CVU) is proud to announce the launch of the California Survivor Action Network (CSAN)—a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative designed to connect, educate, organize, and empower victims, survivors, advocates, and community members through the power of today's digital tools and grassroots engagement.
The new platform, available at www.CrimeVictimsUnited.com/CSAN, represents a significant project in Crime Victims United's mission to advance victims' rights and survivors' stories throughout California. Building on more than four decades of advocacy, CSAN creates a centralized network where survivors and concerned community members can become informed, connected, and engaged in shaping safer communities.
"The victims' rights movement transformed California by ensuring survivors had a voice in our justice system,” said CVU Founder Harriet Salarno. “Today, we have an incredible opportunity to carry that legacy forward using the tools of the modern era—social media, smartphones, digital communication, and online organizing—to connect, train, and empower survivors across California.”
CSAN is designed to be a living, statewide network that brings together individuals with lived experience, victim advocates, community leaders, law enforcement partners, and engaged residents who share a commitment to building stronger, safer communities. The initiative reflects Crime Victims United's belief that today's technology has fundamentally changed how movements are built.
"Forty years ago, organizing meant phone trees, newsletters, and in-person meetings,” continued Salarno. “Today, a survivor in Redding can instantly connect with someone in San Diego. A legislative alert can reach thousands of Californians in seconds. A community member can learn how to advocate before a city council, write an opinion piece, or testify at the Capitol, all from their home. CSAN embraces these new tools to create a stronger, more connected movement."
The organization believes the network will serve as the foundation for a new generation of civic engagement centered on victims' rights, public safety, accountability, and community resilience. Inspired by what was built by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office Empower + Resilience Project, CSAN expands that mission by creating an infrastructure capable of connecting local efforts into a coordinated statewide movement.
The launch of the California Survivor Action Network marks what Crime Victims United describes as a new chapter for the organization—one focused on empowering Californians through education, collaboration, and meaningful civic participation.
"We're not simply launching a new program; we're building a statewide network where every survivor, every advocate, organization, agency, and community member has an opportunity to participate collectively,” said CVU President Topo Padilla. "Together, we can transform individual voices into an organized, statewide movement, creating an undeniable groundswell of informed citizens, empowered survivors, and engaged communities committed to making California safer, stronger, and more resilient."
Individuals interested in joining the California Survivor Action Network can learn more and sign up by visiting: www.CrimeVictimsUnited.com/CSAN
