PCAR’s Vision of Hope Fund Awards $50K Grant to University
HARRISBURG—The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape’s Vision of Hope Fund has granted Portland State University professor Keith Kaufman $50K for the second year in a row, to support his research and evaluation of a pilot project to reduce instances of child sexual abuse at youth-serving organizations.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that does not allow courtroom testimony from experts who could shed light on a victim’s behavior after sexual assault.
Is that significant?
Yes, it’s extremely significant, because it means that jurors don’t receive the information they need to make informed decisions in sexual assault cases. As a result, victims are at a disadvantage in Pennsylvania courtrooms.