HARRISBURG, PA – Respect Together, the parent organization of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), today announced the launch of the PCAR Bridge Fund, a new emergency fund to help Pennsylvania’s rape crisis centers sustain critical services for survivors of sexual assault during times of financial crisis.

To kick off the campaign, Respect Together will match the first $10,000 in donations, doubling the impact of early supporters.

The creation of the PCAR Bridge Fund comes as Pennsylvania’s state budget impasse has left rape crisis centers operating without state funding for months. Many centers have already been forced to furlough staff, cut services, or rely on credit to remain open.

“Survivors of sexual assault cannot wait on politics,” said Yolanda Edrington, CEO, Respect Together. “Rape crisis centers provide 24/7 hotlines, hospital accompaniment, counseling, and advocacy for more than 27,000 survivors each year. The Bridge Fund is our commitment to ensuring those critical services remain available — no matter what. With this $10,000 match, supporters can double their impact when it matters most.”

About the PCAR Bridge Fund

• Emergency Support for PA Rape Crisis Centers: The fund provides short-term financial assistance to Pennsylvania’s rape crisis centers facing dire financial needs due to funding delays or other disruptions.
• Every Dollar Goes to Survivors’ Services: Respect Together will cover all administrative costs, ensuring every donated dollar goes directly to keeping centers open and serving survivors of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.
• Critical Needs Covered: Funding may be used for urgent expenses such as utilities, rent, staff salaries, or program gaps so Pennsylvania’s rape crisis centers can continue to provide essential services for survivors of sexual assault.

“This fund will allow us to bridge the financial needs of rape crisis centers serving all 67 counties in the Commonwealth to ensure no survivor of sexual assault is left without support,” said Joyce Lukima, COO, PCAR. “Together, we can keep hotlines answered, advocates by survivors’ sides in the ER, and children connected with the counseling they desperately need.”

How to Help

Community members, donors, and partners are invited to contribute to the PCAR Bridge Fund to ensure survivors of sexual assault continue to have access to the support and resources they need.

Respect Together will match the first $10,000 in donations.