Reduce the Risk Working to Improve Public Safety

Last June, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) introduced Reduce the Risk, a public awareness initiative focused on educating communities about the state’s nine protection orders and reducing firearm violence. As the campaign marks its one-year anniversary, we take a look at the campaign’s first-year activities and the work still ahead to help more Californians understand and use protection orders.

Over the past year, Reduce the Risk has carried out outreach efforts, including launching a dedicated website, building a training program and conducting media campaigns at the local, regional and statewide levels.

We’re proud to share that to date 38 counties and more than 1,000 people in law enforcement, mental health, health care, education and other key social service providers have participated in our highly impactful training sessions.

Strengthening Our Impact:
Reduce the Risk’s Statewide Media Campaign

Protection orders only work when people understand them and feel confident using them. A 2025 statewide study found that nearly 80% of Californians lack basic knowledge about how these orders work, yet many say they would use them if they knew more. To close this gap, Reduce the Risk has launched a statewide paid media campaign to raise awareness, deepen understanding and connect Californians to critical resources.

Reduce the Risk is concentrating its outreach on the communities and groups most affected by gun violence to strengthen public understanding of protection orders. By closing knowledge gaps, the campaign equips family members, educators, healthcare providers, caregivers and other trusted individuals with the tools and confidence to act, helping prevent firearm-related harm before it occurs.

Connecting Californians to Help File Protection Orders

Filing a protection order can feel overwhelming and confusing, often deterring individuals from taking a critical step in protecting their loved ones and local communities. Many Californians are unsure of where to begin, what the process entails or where to turn for help.

To address this gap, Reduce the Risk has developed a range of resources to help communities gain a clearer understanding of protection orders and how they can be utilized for community safety. The Local Resource Connector, an interactive tool available on the website, provides visitors with access to the state’s self-help tool to guide them through the protection order process, as well as free or low-cost local resources for additional support. For help fling, Californians also can visit their local superior court’s website for more information.

The Local Resource connector is just one of many resources Reduce the Risk offers. To learn more about these resources, visit ReducetheRisk.ca.gov.

Partnering with Community Leaders

Last summer, Reduce the Risk launched the Protection Order Training program, designed to educate law enforcement, legal counsel, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups and other trusted community leaders about the state’s protection orders. These training sessions are making a positive difference by equipping professionals with practical knowledge they can apply directly in their everyday responsibilities. Check out this testimonial video to learn more about how these trainings are helping make change.

Youth: Leading the Next Generation of Gun Violence Prevention

Reduce the Risk is informed by both the Champions Advisory Council and Youth Advisory Council, groups of dedicated experts and advocates who help to shape the direction of our campaign. The Youth Advisory Council brings valuable insight into the challenges surrounding firearm violence and offers a unique perspective on how these issues affect young people.

At this year’s Brady Action Awards, Sarah Youssef accepted the Cookie and Kenny Misher Youth Advocacy Award for her work in lending youth’s voice to gun violence prevention. Sarah’s advocacy work began when she was in high school. In 2024, she, along with 13 other student reporters, partnered with the PBS News Student Reporting Labs to produce Run, Hide, Fight: Growing Up Under the Gun, a documentary underscoring the effects on firearm violence on our youth. Since then, Sarah has continued to be an advocate for gun violence prevention initiatives. Congratulations to Sarah on this momentous award!

Gun Violence Awareness Month: How to Get Involved

June marks Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the effects of firearm violence, honoring those affected and working toward meaningful solutions. Across California, organizations are hosting community events to actively engage their neighbors in raising awareness about firearm violence. Explore the resources below to discover how to get involved in local opportunities and make a difference.