Pennsylvania Rape Crisis Centers Rally for Doubled State Funding
Advocates from all 47 rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania demanded lawmakers double their $12 million in annual state funding after years of stagnation.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — Advocates from Pennsylvania’s 47 rape crisis centers gathered at the state capitol demanding lawmakers double their annual funding after six years of relatively stagnant financial support.
The organizations currently receive $12 million in state funding and are seeking an additional $12.5 million to address growing needs across the commonwealth. Last year marked the first significant increase in years when funding crossed the $12 million threshold with a modest 2% boost from the previous $11.9 million.
Advocates Express Frustration
Katie Blume, chair of the board of directors for Centre County’s Centre Safe, delivered a pointed message to lawmakers during the rally. “Do your damn job,” Blume said. “We should not be here watching (other) bills… easily pass both chambers of this legislature while people whose lives are literally at risk have to come here and beg.”
The gathering highlighted the financial challenges facing organizations that provide services to sexual assault survivors throughout Pennsylvania. Advocates argued that current funding levels have not kept pace with demand for services.
Survivors and Staff Share Their Stories
The rally featured emotional testimony from both survivors and crisis center staff members. One advocate spoke about the anger that drives their work, stating during the event: “One of the things I tell my clients is, ‘You’re angry because you’re worth it … my job is to let them feel that anger and know that they are worth it. I’m here today because we’re angry, advocates are angry, survivors are angry — we’re angry because we’re worth it.”
Crisis center representatives emphasized that their organizations serve as lifelines for individuals experiencing trauma and that adequate funding directly impacts their ability to provide comprehensive support services.
Legislative Push for Increased Support
The advocacy effort comes as state lawmakers consider budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Rape crisis centers provide essential services including counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency support to survivors across Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
According to advocates, the requested funding increase would help centers expand services, hire additional staff, and better meet the needs of survivors seeking assistance. The organizations have struggled to maintain service levels while dealing with rising operational costs and increased demand.
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape coordinates advocacy efforts among the state’s network of crisis centers, which serve communities ranging from urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to rural counties across the commonwealth.
