This is the web site for Pennsylvania Coalition against Rape. I worked a great deal with the PCAR chapter in Central PA when I lived in Harrisburg and it is an extraordinary group. PCAR uses its voice to challenge public attitudes, raise public awareness, and effect critical changes in public policy, protocols, and responses to sexual violence. They provide services to victims/survivors of sexual violence and their significant others.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or raped get help right away! First things first, go somewhere safe and call someone you trust to support you, then call 1-888-772-PCAR.
You are not alone; it is estimated that 876,064 American women were raped last year and 111,298 American Men. 7 in 10 people raped were raped by someone they know.
Rape is a Crime
Among the many reasons to report a rape, one being to try to prevent the perpetrator from raping another person, I was struck by a line I recently read in "Night", by Elie Wiesel. Night is an account of his experiences in an Auschwitz Concentration camp, an account which one reviewer described as "almost unbearably painful."
"I only know that without this testimony..my life would not have become what it is: that of a witness who believes he has a moral obligation to try to prevent the enemy from enjoying one last victory by allowing his crimes to be erased from human memory."(viii)
Rape is a crime no matter how well you know the person.
If you have been sexually assaulted or raped in the past it is not too late to get help. Call 1-888-772-PCAR. It is important to talk about your feelings. Survivors of rape have very high incidents of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, something that can be debilitating, we see it in many of our soldiers who fight in combat as well.
Here's my Daily News op-ed on domestic violence. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and wants help please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
And as this article shows, men suffer from domestic abuse as well, both gay and straight. Remember, the resources and action steps I describe are not just for women.
Take Action: Please write your Senators to let them know you support full funding for the Violence Against Women Act.
ALSO: Please donate your old cell phone to CALL TO PROTECT program. An important tool for victims of domestic violence who may encounter emergency situations. The lifeline provided by donated phones has literally saved lives. To donate your used wireless phone, please send charger, battery and phone to:
NCADV
1120 Lincoln St, Suite 1603
Denver, CO 80203
303-839-1852, x105
Hi Flavia. This is what I wrote about Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October of 2004:
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Recently I read about a young man on trial from dousing his girlfriend with gasoline and trying to set her on fire. The problem of violence, especially toward women has hit epidemic proportions. October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The observance of this month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The original intent of this Day of Unity was to unite and connect battered women’s advocates across the country. Various programs and sponsors had similar themes which were: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence. The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed in October 1987. There have been continuous strides to find solutions to this problem, but it is still an uphill climb.
Many people associate domestic violence and abuse with battering. Battering, in the form of physical violence, is not the only indicator. There is more to it than that. Battering may include emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, threats, intimidation and a variety of other behaviors use to maintain fear, intimidation and power. Domestic violence is not limited to race, creed or economic level. If nothing is done, battering escalates.
It’s not easy to leave an abusive relationship or marriage. Many women stay in violent relationships for 3 reasons. First is lack of resources. They are either unemployed, lack property and fear declining living standards for themselves and their children. The second reason is institutional responsiveness. Clergy try to save marriages and don’t usually advise dissolution. Restraining orders don’t always work. There is little to prevent a released abuser from returning and repeating the assault. Lastly, there is a traditional ideology. Many women are socialized to believe that they are responsible for making the relationship work.
Will this ever cease to be a severe and growing problem? I don’t think so if the present administration has anything to do with it. President Bush has slashed the Violence Against Women Program in his 2004 budget. This cuts funding for desperately needed emergency shelters, crisis hotlines and other services to protect women against violence. He calls himself a passionate conservative. Now the administration is calling for a $3 million cut from the 2005 budget for grants to state to improve stalker databases, reduce violent crimes against women on campuses and enhance protections for older and disabled women from domestic violence and sexual assault.
This problem cuts across age groups as well. A dating partner physically or sexually assaults one in five teenage girls. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has been on a mission for several years to educate youth about the dangers of dating violence. This year they are funding awareness programs around the State of Michigan that impact young people directly. Southfield High School’s advance drama students present one of the programs, “Into the Light.” For the past two years the students have presented the program to numerous schools in the metropolitan area. Over 3,000 teens have been made aware of the warning signs, abusive characteristics and behaviors, and resources for help. The goal is to establish an anti-violent mindset early.
I believe the best way to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to do what Governor Granholm states: “We must do all we can to ensure that women and children are safe in their homes and that abusers are held accountable for their crimes.”
PRESENTLY a video on teenage dating violence, based on the play, is being filmed. It will be destributed to every high school or middle school in the state of Michigan that wants it. I have also written a toolkit that has everything including lesson plans, roleplay activities, quizzes, etc. in it.
Brenda P