A Message from Our CEO
Dear friends,
As we head into Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and mark the 25th anniversary of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s SAAM campaign, we are reminded of the power of awareness to spark action and the responsibility we all share to carry that momentum forward.
This year, that momentum continues with the launch of Denim Week 2026, a new national campaign from Respect Together focused on promoting consent and respect. Taking place during the final week of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Week invites communities across the country to turn awareness into visible, collective action.
At the same time, we remain focused on the realities facing survivors and the programs that support them. In Pennsylvania, rape crisis services remain flat-funded in the proposed state budget, continuing a pattern of underinvestment that threatens access to essential services. Through our statewide division, the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR), we are working alongside partners to advocate for the resources survivors need and deserve.
This newsletter offers a look at the impact we are making together. Our recently published Year in Review highlights the reach of our work in 2025. From prevention initiatives to survivor support and national leadership, it is a reflection of what is possible when we invest in this movement.
We also take time to honor the legacy of Maureen Powers, a dedicated advocate whose leadership helped shape this field and strengthen support for survivors. Her impact continues to inspire our work today.
As we look ahead, we invite you to deepen your engagement through Respect Together’s online campus, where advocates, educators, and community members can access tools and training to advance prevention and response efforts in their own communities.
Thank you for being part of this movement. Together, we are building a future where all people can live free from sexual violence.
Warmly,
Yolanda Edrington
CEO, Respect Together
