PCAR

06/17/2026

Thank you to WPMT FOX43 for highlighting our joint call with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and advocates across the Commonwealth for increased investment in survivor services.

PCAR is urging lawmakers to increase the r**e crisis services line item by $12.5 million. This funding would help Pennsylvania’s r**e crisis centers retain trained staff, respond to rising costs and support survivors facing both longstanding and emerging forms of sexual violence, including AI-generated and technology-facilitated abuse.

Survivors are reaching out. Local programs are doing everything they can to respond. Now, Pennsylvania must fund the services that make safety, healing and justice possible.

Watch the video and read the full story:
https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/advocates-push-increased-funding-for-survivor-services-at-capitol/521-1b222de2-d77a-4b07-ae9c-b192657579e9

Advocates will urge lawmakers Tuesday afternoon to boost funding by $20.5M for domestic violence and r**e crisis services to keep up with demand.

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

We are proud to announce that the Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County has been selected as one of 19 recipients of the 2026–2027 Local Share Account (LSA) Grant.

The LSA Grant Program is funded through local share assessments generated by licensed gaming facilities, specifically from slot machine and table game revenues at the Casino at Nemacolin in Wharton Township. These funds are reinvested into projects and programs that strengthen our communities and improve the quality of life for residents.

Through this funding, we will launch and expand our Every Body Deserves Respect Initiative, a program designed to serve individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, chronic mental illness, and neurodivergence. The initiative will provide education on healthy relationships, consent, communication skills, personal boundaries, and informed decision-making regarding dating and physical relationships.

Individuals within these populations are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing abuse and victimization. Providing accessible, inclusive education on these topics is a critical component of prevention and empowerment.

Programming will be offered throughout Fayette County in partnership with organizations that support these individuals, as well as local schools, with a focus on students in learning support and life skills classrooms. By expanding these services, we hope to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to build healthy relationships, recognize unsafe situations, and advocate for themselves.

We are grateful to the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, our county commissioners, the Local Share Account Program, and the Casino at Nemacolin for investing in initiatives that strengthen our community and promote safety, dignity, and respect for all.

Pictured are Executive Director Andrea and Counselor/Educator Amy along with other grant recipients from Friday's reception.

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Yesterday VRC had the privilege of going back to Harrisburg. This rally at the Capitol was to discuss the issue of sexual assault and domestic violence budgets. These crimes just do not go away or disappear. Budgets on these issues need an increase and this rally was a call to do just that! Let the Capitol know we need a call to action to increase budgets on sexual assault and domestic violence! PCAR Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

06/17/2026

Every survivor deserves to be believed, supported, and treated with dignity and respect.

This Pride Month, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ survivors can access the support, resources, and services they deserve.

At PCAR, we are here to support survivors and help build safer communities for everyone.

Learn more about our services: pcar.org

06/17/2026

Thank you to every survivor, advocate, program leader, law enforcement partner, legislator, and supporter who stood with us at the Capitol for the "United for Survivors" rally.

Together, we sent a clear message: Pennsylvania’s r**e crisis centers and domestic violence programs need the resources to answer every call, support every survivor, and strengthen every community.

As survivor Maria Gardner reminded us, “We have not been quiet, and policymakers are listening. Now it is just a matter of whether they care enough to act.”

Rep. Carol Hill-Evans underscored what is at stake: “The choices made this budget cycle will be felt far beyond the walls of the Capitol.”

We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared their voice, their story, and their commitment to this movement. The rally ended, but our work continues. We are calling on Pennsylvania’s leaders to fully fund the services survivors rely on across the Commonwealth.

Hear us. Fund us. Stand with survivors.

06/16/2026

This morning, Natalie Koranda with WPMT FOX43 joined PCAR and PCADV at the Pennsylvania Capitol to spotlight the urgent need for greater state investment in survivor services.

PCAR Public Policy Director Gabriella Romeo and PCADV Chief Housing and Policy Officer Alexandra Cantrell shared how six years without a meaningful funding increase have strained programs, reduced capacity, and threatened the services survivors rely on across Pennsylvania.

Our organizations show up for survivors every day. Now, we need Pennsylvania and the General Assembly to show up for us.

Join us later today at our United for Survivors Rally at the Capitol. We are joining forces to advocate for survivors and make our voices heard.

When: Today, Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Main Rotunda, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg