Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR)

10/13/2026

No matter the headlines, the news cycle, or what life is throwing your way, PAAR is here.

We know that what's happening in our community, across the country, and even on our social media feeds can feel overwhelming, upsetting, and triggering.
Sometimes, it's a lot to carry.

For more than 50 years, PAAR has been here for survivors in Allegheny County, and that commitment isn't changing. No matter what is happening in the world around us, you deserve to feel heard, supported, and safe.

That's why we want to remind our community about Walk-In Wednesday.

Every Wednesday, from 9:30 AM – 5 PM, our South Side office is a welcoming, confidential space where you can connect with our team, learn more about PAAR, explore available resources, or simply take that first step toward getting support.

You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to know exactly what you're looking for. And you don't need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out.

PAAR South Side Office
81 S. 19th Street, Pittsburgh
Every Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 5 PM

And remember, support isn't limited to Wednesdays.

PAAR's confidential Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text (866) 363-7273, or visit www.paar.net to chat online.

Our Helpline team can provide immediate support, answer questions, and connect you with an advocate to explore your rights, options, and additional PAAR services.

No question is too small. No reason for reaching out is insignificant.

The headlines will change.
The algorithms will move on.
But PAAR will still be here. . . Every step of the way. 🦋

10/09/2026

Showing up for our community, one conversation at a time. 🫶

PAAR was proud to be part of the First Annual Community Mental Health Conference in Pittsburgh on October 2nd.

Our team member Cheryl spent the day connecting with community members, sharing resources, and helping raise awareness about the services PAAR provides to survivors of sexual violence throughout Allegheny County.

Mental health care and survivor support go hand in hand. Creating opportunities for connection, education, and collaboration helps us build a community where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported.

Thank you to the conference organizers for bringing together organizations and individuals committed to strengthening mental health resources in our community.

We're grateful to have been part of the conversation!

PAAR is here, every step of the way 🦋

10/08/2026

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR ARTIST BOOTH SPONSORS!

Behind every great artist is a well-stocked booth, plenty of snacks, a little swag, and a whole lot of support!

Our Artist Booth Sponsors helped us make sure that the 55 participating artists at Ink for Impact had everything they needed to do what they do best! From supplies and snacks to swag bags and dedicated volunteers helping keep booths tidy and the day running smoothly, these sponsors helped us take care of the artists who gave so much of themselves to this event.

And, well… with an event this big, sometimes things fall through the cracks. This year, unfortunately, it was our Artist Booth Sponsor signage. Despite our best efforts, the signs didn’t arrive in time, and these incredible supporters didn’t get the recognition they deserved on event day. But we want to make one thing VERY clear:

Just because your names weren’t displayed at your booth doesn’t mean your support wasn’t felt ALL DAY LONG!

To our TEN incredible Artist Booth Sponsors, THANK YOU for showing up for our artists, believing in Ink for Impact, and supporting PAAR’s mission.

Your generosity goes far beyond one Sunday in October. You are helping make it possible for PAAR to continue providing support, healing, advocacy, and care to survivors throughout Allegheny County, every single day.

We see you. We appreciate you. And we couldn’t do this without you!

10/08/2026

Cultivating Strength: Support Group Series

Our next Cultivating Strength support group will focus on Trauma & Coping.

Trauma can impact the way we think, feel, connect with others, and move through everyday life. This virtual psychoeducational group will create space to better understand those impacts while exploring practical coping and self-care strategies.

⚫Open to adult survivors of sexual trauma, ages 18+
⚫ Virtual
⚫Mondays, October 26 – November 16
⚫5:30–7:30 PM
⚫Scan the QR code to register
Registration closes October 25.

You don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes understanding why we respond the way we do can be an important part of moving forward.
Cultivating Strength is about learning, connecting, and building tools that support healing — together. 🦋

10/07/2026

We’re out in the community yest again this Sunday! 💙🌈🎃 October is a busy month for PAAR, and we LOVE IT!

PAAR will be joining TWO free community events in Pittsburgh this Sunday, October 11th, and we’d love to see you!

🌈 OUTfest 2026
📍 Schenley Plaza in Oakland
⏰ 11 AM–4 PM
A free, family-friendly celebration featuring local DJs, artists, drag performers, musicians, movement, activities, community organizations + more!

🎃 WH Foundation Trunk or Treat
📍 Woodland Hills High School
⏰ 2–4 PM
A free afternoon of safe, spooky family fun with candy, a haunted bus, food + more!
Stop by the PAAR table at either event to say hi, learn more about our services and resources, and connect with our team.

We’re grateful for every opportunity to show up, connect, and make sure our community knows that PAAR is here.

See you Sunday, Pittsburgh!

10/02/2026

We love seeing this work happening right here in Pittsburgh.

NBC’s TODAY recently highlighted Coach John DeMarco and his football team as they participated in Team: Changing Minds, a program from Futures Without Violence that equips coaches and other trusted adults to have honest, meaningful conversations with young men about mental health, healthy relationships, and asking for help.

Coaches have a unique opportunity to shape more than what happens on the field. When young men are given safe spaces to talk, trusted adults who listen, and the tools to support one another, we can begin changing the conversations around masculinity, mental health, relationships, and violence.

We’re proud to see a Pittsburgh coach helping lead that change — and even more proud of the work PAAR’s Education Team is doing alongside our community partners to make sure these conversations continue happening in schools, on teams, and throughout our communities.

Take a few minutes to watch... this is worth it.

John DeMarco is just one of many high school football coaches finding new ways to connect with the team. DeMarco was trained by Team: Changing Minds on how to talk with young athletes about mental health, respect, and responsibility. He now leads weekly conversations with his football team, building...

09/28/2026

A former Cornell student alleges that seven fraternity members drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2024. She reported what happened. No criminal charges were filed.
She has since left Cornell and is pursuing a civil lawsuit.

How do we keep ending up here?

She has been forced to sit through 12 hearings — telling her painful story publicly again and again while seeking accountability.

We have to do better.

Survivors deserve accessible advocacy, clear communication, and support that does not disappear when a case closes. Students deserve credible plans to prevent sexual violence on campus and accountability from the institutions with the power to create change.

We must keep listening to survivors.
We must keep supporting their choices.
And we must keep demanding better from the systems and institutions meant to protect them.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, PAAR is here. Our confidential helpline is available 24/7 at 1-866-END-RAPE (1-866-363-7273).

09/22/2026

Walk-in Wednesday at PAAR will take place tomorrow, September 23rd, but there will NOT be testing provided by Allies Health + Wellbeing. Allies will return September 30th.

09/17/2026

Families are navigating some big conversations . . .and they don’t have to navigate them alone.

The Let’s Talk About It Series brings parents and teens together for honest conversations, expert guidance, practical tools, and connection.

First session: September 23 | 7–8:30 PM
The Teen Brain: Why Risky Behavior Happens and How Parents Can Respond

Check out the full series here and scan the QR code to reserve your spot!