Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR)

A staircase full of advocates. A room full of courage. 47 R**e Crisis Centers represented.

June 8th 2026. A message that can’t be ignored.
6 years. No increase. Survivors deserve better. 💙

Pa. r**e crisis centers: We are not a budget line item • Pennsylvania Capital-Star For several years, funding for r**e crisis centers remained stuck at $11.9 million. Now, advocates hope for $24.7 million.

Yesterday PAAR staff, Board members, survivors, advocates, and supporters stood alongside r**e crisis centers from across Pennsylvania with one clear message:

6 years. No increase. Survivors deserve better.

For six years, Pennsylvania’s 47 r**e crisis centers have been asked to do more with less while the demand for services continues to grow. Every day, advocates answer hotline calls, accompany survivors to hospitals and courtrooms, provide counseling, prevention education, and life-changing support in communities across the Commonwealth.

Survivors cannot wait any longer.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us at the Capitol to demand a state budget that reflects the realities facing survivors and the organizations that serve them.

Fund r**e crisis centers. Fund survivor services. Fund healing.

We're proud to celebrate one of our own!

Last week, PAAR's First Steps Supervisor, Jenny, presented at the 37th Annual Boston International Trauma Conference alongside Greg Siegle, PhD, and JoEllen Marsh, MPA. Their presentation explored the intersection of acute and chronic trauma and neurodivergence—an important and evolving area of trauma-informed care.

At PAAR, we're committed not only to serving survivors, but also to advancing conversations, research, and best practices that strengthen the support available to those impacted by trauma. We're grateful to have leaders like Jenny sharing their expertise on a national stage.

Congratulations, Jenny! 💙

Therapists, counselors, and mental health professionals — this one’s for you.

Many survivors of sexual violence face barriers to accessing therapy due to lack of insurance coverage, high out-of-pocket costs, or limited provider options.

Join PAAR for a free virtual workshop to learn how becoming a provider that accepts Victim’s Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) funding can help expand access to care for survivors across Pennsylvania.

📅 Friday, June 12, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
💻 Virtual Workshop

During this session, PAAR staff will cover:
✔️ What VCAP is and who it serves
✔️ How therapists can become approved providers
✔️ The billing and reimbursement process
✔️ Answers to frequently asked questions

Every survivor deserves access to quality, trauma-informed care. Help us grow the network of providers available to support healing.

🔗 Register here! https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=LSf73Vp6pk2pFuiWhQMHYAmzd0hgukJKuT-F3rOyVPpUM1gwRDFVS0FINFRJR0xTSlFaWUVXREdHNi4u&route=shorturl&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGns_ePfXPNM1gL-mOfSkX3zjxiVjkvKMyg41CNBUaXAUuaakTctLrf-F6aUNQ_aem_KW2vVB9T6eKvQKgUspXXsQ

⛳️🏌️‍♂️ WE NEED GOLFERS! 🏌️‍♀️⛳️

The countdown is on, and we're still looking for a few more foursomes and individual golfers to join us on June 18th at Black Hawk Golf Course for Pars for PAAR!

Whether you're a seasoned golfer, a weekend warrior, or just looking for a great excuse to spend a day on the course with friends and colleagues, this event is for you.

💙 18 holes of golf
🍳 Breakfast & driving range access
🌭 Lunch at the turn
🍻 Reception with steak on the grill, prizes, raffles & 50/50
⛳ Mulligans available with a donation to PAAR
🤝 Networking with community and business leaders
💜 Most importantly, supporting survivors of sexual violence across our region

Every registration helps PAAR continue providing free counseling, advocacy, prevention education, and crisis response services to thousands of survivors and their loved ones each year.

📅 Thursday, June 18, 2026
📍 Black Hawk Golf Course

Tag your golf crew. Forward this to your coworkers. Challenge another foursome. Grab a single ticket if you don't have a team—we'll help pair you up!

Let's fill the course and show survivors that our community stands with them. 💜

⛳💜🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️

💙 Survivors are not a line item. 💙

For six years, Pennsylvania's 47 r**e crisis centers have gone without a state funding increase while the need for services continues to grow. Every day, advocates answer hotline calls, accompany survivors to hospitals, support families through the legal system, provide counseling, prevention education, and help people rebuild their lives after trauma.

We are one network. One mission. Supporting survivors.

📢 Join advocates, survivors, community members, and allies from across the Commonwealth as we gather in Harrisburg to call for sustainable funding for r**e crisis services.

📍 Pennsylvania State Capitol Rotunda
📅 June 8, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM

Because survivors deserve better.
Because healing cannot wait.
Because six years without an increase is six years too long.

**eCrisisCenters

🏳️‍🌈✨ Happy Pride Month, Pittsburgh! ✨🏳️‍🌈

This weekend, PAAR is proud to celebrate alongside our LGBTQIA+ community at Pittsburgh Pride.

Sexual violence impacts people of every identity, and at PAAR, we remain committed to supporting survivors, advocating for equity, and creating spaces where everyone is safe, seen, and valued.

🌈 Stop by our table at Allegheny Commons Park
📍 Grab resources, swag, and information about PAAR's services
💜 Meet our team and learn more about how we're working to support survivors across our region

Because every survivor deserves to be met with dignity, compassion, and support—every step of the way.

💜🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈