WE'RE ON A MISSION
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape is working to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of victims of sexual assault.
A week in the life of a Services Director
I work in this field to offer help, support, and hope to other survivors, to improve the response to sexual violence and to advocate for change and recognition of this incredibly pervasive societal problem.
During a typical week I see between 10 and 15 clients for individual. I start my week off by facilitating a support group for adult survivors. I counsel students who have been victims of sexual violence on college campuses. I spend most of my week seeing clients in the office and meeting with our counseling staff.
Our counselors provide services to about 20 clients per week. They provide support and educational groups to residential facilities in the two-county area. The counselors see children in schools. They accompany clients to medical, police and court proceedings in both counties.
I provide coverage for our 24-hour hotline. We also respond to victims at the emergency room and report being sexually assaulted. We stay with the victim through the forensic examination and follow up with them for counseling and services.
The support group for adult survivors has been both heart-wrenching and endlessly inspirational. They struggle with flashbacks, depression, shame and guilt, and most struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders and self-injury. Yet they share their stories and provide each other support, understanding and encouragement.
The most frustrating part of my week is when funding cuts have impacted our staff. It’s troubling to think back to when I started and realize the impact of the dramatic cuts in recent years. I started the with four full-time counselors, a supervisor, a crime victim compensation coordinator and two educators. We are now reduced to two full-time counselors, an educator, a supervisor and crime victim compensation coordinator who carry nearly full-time caseloads. Our requests for services have grown exponentially, from 13 last year to 29 in the last six months. Yet we face the threat of additional funding on a daily basis.
Sexual abuse has a lifelong impact on survivors. Victims heal but their lives are forever altered. The services we provide are absolutely essential to healing. Those individuals find refuge inside our agencies across the state.
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