HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape will host the 13th annual Vision of Hope Gala & Auction on April 6 at the Hershey Lodge.
The Vision of Hope Gala raises funds for critical research, effective prevention strategies and the promotion of adult responsibility and accountability to prevent child sexual abuse.
“Child sexual abuse is a serious and widespread problem, but we know that prevention is possible,” PCAR CEO Karen Baker said. “For more than 10 years, the Vision of Hope Gala has fueled critical research and programs that have made our communities safer for our children.”
The event features a live and silent auction, elegant dinner and dancing. Featured speakers include Attorney General and 2019 Vision of Hope Award winner Josh Shapiro and Dr. Monique Howard, Executive Director of WOAR in Philadelphia.
Since his tenure as Attorney General began, Shapiro and his office have worked to investigate, address, and prevent sexual violence affecting multiple populations and settings: campuses, schools, and communities of faith—just to name a few.
Shapiro’s leadership and unwavering commitment to victims of child sexual abuse has inspired and helped to create a path to healing for countless survivors.
Dr. Monique Howard is the Executive Director of Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR), a Philadelphia non-profit whose mission is to eliminate all forms of sexual violence through treatment services, prevention education programs, and advocacy. Dr. Howard will introduce those in attendance to Thor, WOAR’s emotional support dog, and talk about his role in helping children who have been sexually assaulted.
PCAR launched the Vision of Hope Fund in 2005 with the help of former Pennsylvania First Lady Michele Ridge to raise awareness and funds to prevent sexual abuse and help victims heal.
To purchase tickets or to make a donation to support child sexual abuse prevention, visit www.pcar.org.
About PCAR:
PCAR works to end sexual violence and advocates for the rights and needs of sexual assault victims. We partner with a network of rape crisis centers to bring help, hope, and healing to people in all of the Commonwealth’s 67 counties. Last year, rape crisis centers provided services to approximately 30,000 victims. Each year, rape crisis centers teach over 300,000 Pennsylvanians how to stop sexual violence in their communities. Over 50,000 professionals are trained by rape crisis centers to enhance the Commonwealth’s systemic responses to victims.
About NSVRC
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities and service providers achieve real and lasting change. The center also works with the media to promote informed reporting. Every April, NSVRC leads Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a campaign to educate and engage the public in addressing this widespread issue. NSVRC is also one of the three founding organizations of Raliance, a national, collaborative initiative dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation. The organization was chartered in 2000 by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.