UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has formed a partnership with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to extend the collective reach of their programs in preventing and treating sexual abuse and violence throughout the state and nation. The University has committed $1.5 million to fund a variety of initiatives the partnership will undertake. The funds will come from Penn State’s share of this year’s Big Ten bowl revenues.
“As a University and as people within a caring community we believe it is essential to take a deeper look at the core issue of child sexual abuse and to openly acknowledge the scope of the problem,” said University President Rodney Erickson. “Our own experience shows that child sexual abuse greatly impacts individuals and entire communities. It is now our responsibility to assist in raising awareness and in helping fight this insidious and often secret crime. We hope that our partnership will help break the silence that surrounds child sexual abuse and lead to better protection of our children.”
Erickson said there are many ways that PCAR and Penn State can combine resources and expertise to effectively combat one of society’s most devastating crimes. According to national statistics, in the United States alone, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthdays.
“We believe PCAR’s goals closely parallel the University’s goals in education, research and outreach, and in the broader area of public policy development,” Erickson said. “We can and will do more to stop and prevent abuse.”
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, based in Enola, Pa., is a nationally recognized leader in the field of sexual assault response and prevention. PCAR’s staff and the NSVRC work closely and collaborate with many external partners to identify the best expertise and resources to address and prevent sexual violence against children and adults.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized PCAR’s expertise in 1999 by awarding it the contract for a new National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the nation’s principle information and resource center regarding all aspects of sexual violence. PCAR won the nationally competitive cooperative agreement again in 2004 and 2009.
“I am pleased that Penn State wants to establish a partnership with PCAR to utilize our knowledge, experience and resources,” said Delilah Rumburg, CEO of PCAR and the NSVRC. “It shows strength to take a tragic situation and turn it into an opportunity to grow and learn.”
“No one can undo the trauma experienced by sexual assault victims, but we can improve policies and protocol to increase safety for people of all ages and help people channel their anger and outrage into positive action and involvement,” she added, “to transform the ‘norms’ for everyone regarding how they respond to suspicions and allegations of sexual assault.”
Penn State Vice President for Outreach Craig Weidemann will head the team that will work with PCAR/NSVRC in establishing a formal plan and budget.
Erickson noted that the partnership could focus on a number of areas over the next three years, including:
— Professional education and development for Penn State employees;
— Curriculum content and certificate programs;
— Educational outreach initiatives to communities throughout Pennsylvania;
— Promotion of public awareness about child sexual abuse;
— Assistance in developing research priorities on child sexual abuse and sexual violence;
— Public policy development; and
— Internships and other educational opportunities for students.
While Erickson pointed out PCAR’s statewide presence, expertise and closely aligned goals as major factors for forming this unique partnership, he also encouraged Penn Staters to continue to support the grassroots effort already undertaken by alumni to benefit the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). In the last month, Penn Staters have helped fund RAINN ’s online counseling and crisis hotline services. Alumni and friends can show their support for RAINN by contacting them at http://www.rainn.org/ProudPSUforRAINN.
Penn State commits funds from bowl revenues to prevent, treat sexual abuse and violence
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has formed a partnership with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to extend the collective reach of their programs in preventing and treating sexual abuse and violence throughout the state and nation. The University has committed $1.5 million to fund a variety of initiatives the partnership will undertake. The funds will come from Penn State’s share of this year’s Big Ten bowl revenues.
“As a University and as people within a caring community we believe it is essential to take a deeper look at the core issue of child sexual abuse and to openly acknowledge the scope of the problem,” said University President Rodney Erickson. “Our own experience shows that child sexual abuse greatly impacts individuals and entire communities. It is now our responsibility to assist in raising awareness and in helping fight this insidious and often secret crime. We hope that our partnership will help break the silence that surrounds child sexual abuse and lead to better protection of our children.”
Erickson said there are many ways that PCAR and Penn State can combine resources and expertise to effectively combat one of society’s most devastating crimes. According to national statistics, in the United States alone, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthdays.
“We believe PCAR’s goals closely parallel the University’s goals in education, research and outreach, and in the broader area of public policy development,” Erickson said. “We can and will do more to stop and prevent abuse.”
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, based in Enola, Pa., is a nationally recognized leader in the field of sexual assault response and prevention. PCAR’s staff and the NSVRC work closely and collaborate with many external partners to identify the best expertise and resources to address and prevent sexual violence against children and adults.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized PCAR’s expertise in 1999 by awarding it the contract for a new National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the nation’s principle information and resource center regarding all aspects of sexual violence. PCAR won the nationally competitive cooperative agreement again in 2004 and 2009.
“I am pleased that Penn State wants to establish a partnership with PCAR to utilize our knowledge, experience and resources,” said Delilah Rumburg, CEO of PCAR and the NSVRC. “It shows strength to take a tragic situation and turn it into an opportunity to grow and learn.”
“No one can undo the trauma experienced by sexual assault victims, but we can improve policies and protocol to increase safety for people of all ages and help people channel their anger and outrage into positive action and involvement,” she added, “to transform the ‘norms’ for everyone regarding how they respond to suspicions and allegations of sexual assault.”
Penn State Vice President for Outreach Craig Weidemann will head the team that will work with PCAR/NSVRC in establishing a formal plan and budget.
Erickson noted that the partnership could focus on a number of areas over the next three years, including:
— Professional education and development for Penn State employees;
— Curriculum content and certificate programs;
— Educational outreach initiatives to communities throughout Pennsylvania;
— Promotion of public awareness about child sexual abuse;
— Assistance in developing research priorities on child sexual abuse and sexual violence;
— Public policy development; and
— Internships and other educational opportunities for students.
While Erickson pointed out PCAR’s statewide presence, expertise and closely aligned goals as major factors for forming this unique partnership, he also encouraged Penn Staters to continue to support the grassroots effort already undertaken by alumni to benefit the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). In the last month, Penn Staters have helped fund RAINN ’s online counseling and crisis hotline services. Alumni and friends can show their support for RAINN by contacting them at http://www.rainn.org/ProudPSUforRAINN.
Kristen Houser
Rodney Kirsch