NSVRC Blogs

  Public transportation is one of the most common environments where people sexually harass and abuse others. There are a number of factors that contribute to this frequency, including perceptions of anonymity, crowded conditions, and the momentary nature of public transportation where someone may be able to leave before the victim even realizes what happened. The perpetrator may be someone who is never seen again, or may be a person they must ride a train, bus, or taxi with regularly. No matter the circumstance, public transportation is a hot spot for victimization, which means it

For the first time, the Gail Burns-Smith Award honors two advocates who are bridging support for survivors with treatment for those who cause sexual harm. HARRISBURG, PA – The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA) are pleased to honor Dr. Alissa Ackerman and Casey Ballinger with the 2024 Gail-Burns Smith Award. Ackerman, co-founder and owner of an organization dedicated to restorative justice for sexual harm, Ampersands Restorative Justice, and Ballinger, Training and Technical Assistance Manager with the

June 2024 is Pride Month, an annual event meant to celebrate the impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Pride Month draws from a long tradition of LGBTQ activism, such as the Reminder Day Pickets in 1960s Philadelphia and the first Pride Marches held across the U.S. on June 18th, 1970 to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. In an era in which LGBTQ rights have come under fresh attack in sports, schools, and legislatures, Pride is more important than ever. Pride Month is an opportune time for the anti-sexual violence field to reflect on how it can best

The Department of Health and Human Services (the Department), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), recently published new guidance on informed consent from patients in medical settings, with special emphasis on particularly sensitive procedures or those including anesthesia. This is an important precedent to signal larger movements of change in the healthcare industry, as well as make  cultures of consent standard across the board. Full consent is not just signing the forms and saying “yes” or “no” to a procedure- it’s understanding the full extent of every

Contacto para los medios: Laura Palumbo 877-739-3895 ext. 128; media@respecttogether.org   En nombre de todos los sobrevivientes, lamentamos la decisión tomada hoy por la Corte de Apelaciones de Nueva York, la cual anuló por 4 a 3 la condena de Harvey Weinstein en 2020 por delitos sexuales graves. Esta decisión refleja los enormes desafíos a los que se enfrentan las sobrevivientes a la hora de obtener justicia a través del sistema de justicia criminal. Asimismo, muestra lo difícil que resulta exigir que las personas que cometen abusos, agresiones y acoso sexuales rindan cuentas de

We have talked about how to use evaluation for good, but we want to expand that conversation to talk about how evaluation, if approached through a social justice lens, can help to build community. First, let’s think about why folks evaluate their programs in the first place. Sometimes it is just because it is a requirement; but in our evaluation toolkit, we share how evaluation can help support prevention by: measuring the change we seek to create in the world,  helping us see where we are doing well and where we need to make improvements, telling the story of our work, informing strategic

Media contact: Laura Palumbo 877-739-3895 ext. 128; media@respecttogether.org   We are disheartened on behalf of all survivors following the 4-3 decision today by the New York Court of Appeals overturning Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on felony sex crime charges.   This decision reflects the vast challenges survivors face in seeking justice through the criminal legal system. It underscores how elusive accountability is for people who commit sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. This is especially true when people who commit abuse are in a position of power, with

Longtime advocate and subject matter expert on the prevention of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment will lead the National Sexual Violence Resource Center HARRISBURG, PA—The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) announced today that Jennifer Grove will be the new Chief Operating Officer of Respect Together's national division, NSVRC. Grove will replace former NSVRC COO Yolanda Edrington, who was named Chief Executive Officer of Respect Together last December.  Formerly NSVRC’s Prevention Director, Grove has led the organization’s national prevention work for nearly two

Support Survivors around the country for #SAAM2024 April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)! This year's theme is "Building Connected Communities." The campaign uplifts the role of inclusive, equitable, and connected communities in reducing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.   Last year, we hosted the first SAAM Day of Giving and deeply appreciated our community's generous support. This year, in honor of #SAAM2024, we are hosting the SAAM Day of Giving again. NSVRC, as a primary division of Respect Together, is working to disrupt the driving forces behind sexual violence to

Honorees include advocates, journalists, survivors, lawmakers, and more HARRISBURG, PA – The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) announced today 28 recipients of its 2024 Visionary Voice Awards. These honorees represent a wide range of disciplines from across the country and were selected for their outstanding work toward preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. This year’s recipients include Rachel de Leon, an Emmy-winning reporter and producer whose Netflix documentary Victim/Suspect explores how survivors report to police only to be charged with false reporting;