Originally published on April 30, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PCAR & PCADV hold Advocacy Day at Capitol to support key legislation
HARRISBURG—The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) joined efforts today at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to urge legislators to commit to ending sexual assault and domestic violence.
Sexual assault and domestic violence are pervasive public health problems nationally and in Pennsylvania. PCADV and PCAR ask legislators to commit to end sexual assault and domestic violence by: fully-funding rape crisis and domestic violence centers; enacting legislation that holds offenders accountable and prevents further harm; and investing in cost-effective strategies that prevent sexual and domestic violence throughout our schools, workplaces and communities.
PCADV and PCAR also made a call-to-action to advocates and allies to promote healthy attitudes and relationships, and to intervene in these issues for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Legislative requests during this Advocacy Day include: SB 313, SB 500, SB 501, SB 502, SB 554, SB 742, SB 871, SB 874, SB 919, SB 1011, SB 1134, HB 1681, HB 1682, and HB 1757
“We applaud the Senate’s support and swift movement of domestic violence legislation that improves the lives of victims and makes communities safer,” said PCADV Executive Director Susan Higginbotham. “We now call on the House to move this legislative package with the same sense of urgency.”
PCADV supports policies that: provide access to safe and affordable housing; prevent domestic violence homicides; create financial self-sufficiency and economic justice; serve child witnesses and survivors; fund domestic violence service; and preserve and protect access to services for disenfranchised and vulnerable populations.
“The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and rape crisis centers from across the Commonwealth are at the Capitol today to urge lawmakers to pass key legislation that will make the Commonwealth a safer place for our children to learn and grow, for our loved ones, friends and family to work and thrive in the community without fear of sexual abuse or domestic violence,” said PCAR CEO Karen Baker.
PCAR supports public policies that offer a range of civil, criminal, workplace, and community-based options for victims of sexual harassment, abuse and assault. We support collaborations between workplaces, rape crisis centers, and community partners to mobilize best practices in victim advocacy, support, and counseling. Comprehensive prevention training—such as bystander intervention—will help cultivate safe, respectful, and violence-free workplaces for all Pennsylvanians.
About PCADV:
Founded in 1976, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the oldest statewide domestic violence coalition in the nation. Each year, free and confidential services are provided to nearly 90,000 victims of domestic violence and their children through a network of 60 community-based programs serving all 67 counties in the commonwealth. For more information, visit pcadv.org.
About PCAR:
Founded in 1975, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape advocates for the rights and needs of sexual assault victims and works to end sexual violence. PCAR partners with a network of rape crisis programs to bring help, hope and healing around issues of sexual violence to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To learn more, go to pcar.org.