NSVRC Blogs

We stand together with all voices affirming Black humanity and dignity. We share the global grief following the murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin, as well as the killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Dreasjon Reed, David McAtee and the many acts of racist violence perpetrated against Black people over centuries. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) denounce police brutality in all its forms and acknowledge the recurrent problem of racial bias in the criminal justice system that cannot be disentangled from our country's

Este blog fue originalmente escrito en inglés e incluye ligas a materiales que pueden no estar disponibles en español. Un día a la vez. Estamos haciendo lo mejor que podemos para ofrecerte el mejor servicio mientras todos enfrentamos este tiempo tan difícil lleno de incertidumbre. Nuestras vidas diarias están cambiando en forma drástica, lo que hace más crítico nuestra habilidad para estar disponibles el uno para el otro mientras respondemos a la pandemia del coronavirus (COVID-19). Al mismo tiempo que aprendemos sobre COVID-19, también descubrimos la manera en que la pandemia afecta

Did you know? The National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape have developed dozens of online learning tools, and they are all available to you for free!  With so much content, we have created lists of courses for you to use if you want to learn something new or brush up on old skills. These lists in no way encompass all of the great materials our campus has to offer, so sign up and take whatever looks interesting to you. Here is a video on how to get started: And here is where to sign up. Below are some topics to get you started: Advocacy

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Honorees include lawmakers, survivor activists, longtime advocates, nurse examiners, law enforcement and more HARRISBURG, PA – The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) announced today 24 recipients of its 2020 Visionary Voice Awards — a diverse group of honorees from across the country who represent a wide range of disciplines and were selected for their outstanding work toward ending sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse.   This year’s recipients include Maine State Senator Erin Herbig, who sponsored bills to increase the statute of

By Laura Palumbo and Susan Sullivan Each of us has a survivor of sexual assault, harassment, or abuse in our lives. In some cases, we know someone identifies as a survivor because they have trusted us with this information. More commonly, we move through our lives and relationships alongside the unspoken reality of those who have experienced the trauma of sexual abuse. Author and survivor Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” When someone you know shares their story of sexual trauma with you, it is a sacred gift of honesty, vulnerability, and

I want to say this upfront: I am not a parent. I spent my late teen years and early career working with children as a nanny, classroom assistant, child advocate, and a prevention educator. But I don’t know what it’s like to parent a child 24/7. So, I asked my parenting co-workers to send me some of their thoughts, ideas, tips, and resources for coping as a parent in this crisis — and did they ever come through! I’m honored to bring some of their thoughts and ideas to this post.  We acknowledge that this is a very difficult time for parents. A lot of parents are lacking support for

By Dori Pynnonen Hopkins, PhD, Evaluation Specialist at MPHI and Sara McGirr, PhD, Research Scientist at MPHI Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) evaluates the Rape Prevention & Education (RPE) efforts in Michigan, which are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Let us just start by saying: Conducting a statewide survey in the name of evaluation is not for the faint of heart. Survey research can be an incredibly useful tool that comes along with a steep learning curve, a high price tag, and mountains of details. Still, we are glad that we did it

Heading into April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign, some communities and campuses are responding to the current outbreak of COVID-19 by discouraging public gatherings or closing their doors entirely. SAAM is a pivotal time for local rape crisis centers and other service providers to show their support for survivors, educate community members about consent, fundraise, and raise visibility about their services in their community.   How has COVID-19 Impacted Your SAAM Events? Tell us in this short survey. Given the value of SAAM to these organizations and to survivors of sexual

Stop It Now! operates a Helpline to provide confidential and free support, information, and guidance to any adult seeking help in preventing child sexual abuse. Since launching our Helpline in 1995, we have helped more than 23,000 adults via phone, email, letters, and chat. Our Helpline recently received an email from a man looking for help because his wife was upset that he frequently — and by his report subconsciously — put his hands down his pants. His wife was particularly concerned by this behavior in front of their children. Both he and his wife are survivors of sexual abuse, and his

Every 73 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S., which means it’s likely that you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence. Talking about sexual assault is hard. For many survivors, the reaction of the first person they disclose to, often a friend or family member, can have a huge effect on their healing process. That’s why during this Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, here at RAINN, we’re focusing on the critical role that loved ones play in supporting survivors and their healing. The free and confidential National Sexual Assault Hotline, which RAINN runs