July 17, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Women’s Law Project ED Carol Tracy to be presented with Visionary Voice Award
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape will present Women’s Law Project Executive Director Carol Tracy with the 2018 Visionary Voice Award Wednesday during its state conference in Camp Hill.
Tracy is one of 35 recipients of the nation-wide award which is presented annually to honor outstanding work toward ending sexual violence. Winners were initially announced in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Tracy’s many accomplishments include working with Managing Attorney Terry Fromson to develop a best-practice police accountability project to address gender bias in policing and reform the way police respond to rape complaints. The advocate-led review, sometimes called the Philadelphia Model, is recognized as a best practice, and has been implemented in cities across Canada and the United States. It was most recently adopted by the New York City Police Department. Tracy has testified before a number of legislative bodies on violence against women, been an advisor to the White House Office on Violence Against Women and the Department of Justice, and played a key role in advocating for the first DOJ guidance on law enforcement to eradicate gender bias in police investigations of sex crimes.
“Carol’s passion for leading change has led to remarkable accomplishments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and beyond,” PCAR CEO Karen Baker said. “She’s dedicated her life to preventing sexual and domestic violence and holding those who commit abuse accountable. We are excited to honor such a remarkable leader in the Commonwealth.”
The Women’s Law Project is a Pennsylvania-based public interest law center committed to improving the legal, economic and health status of women through high-impact litigation, policy development, public education and systems reform with an emphasis on the intersection of reproductive rights, economic security, and freedom from sexual and domestic violence.
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ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA COALITION AGAINST RAPE:
Founded in 1975, PCAR works to end sexual violence and advocates for the rights and needs of sexual assault victims. PCAR partners with a network of rape crisis programs to bring help, hope and healing around issues of sexual violence in all 67 counties of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.