PA Coalition Against Rape Highlights Key Bills Passed with State Budget

Harrisburg, PA - July 18, 2022 -- Today, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) highlighted 4 key pieces of enacted bills in Pennsylvania's 2022-23 budget that will help to end sexual violence and increase accountability measures.

PCAR greatly appreciates that there remains bi-partisan support to maintain funding for Pennsylvania's rape crisis centers so that they can continue to provide free, confidential services to survivors and concerned community members. These funds enable centers to support survivors of sexual violence as need for these services continues to grow in every county.

PCAR also recognizes the deep bi-partisan support for three legislative priorities that were passed in budget negotiations and have now been enacted:

1. Expanding institutional sexual assault to better protect older adults and adults with disabilities (House Bill 975 sponsored by Rep. DelRosso);
2. Anonymous reporting and steps to establish a statewide tracking system, under the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act (House Bill 2032 sponsored by Rep. Schroeder); and
3. Adoption of an It's On Us-PA bill, requiring institutions of higher education to provide all students with prevention programs, define consent in policy, provide students with a notification of their rights, implement accommodations for students regardless of where the incident occurred, and to collaborate with rape crisis centers through a formal memorandum of understanding (House Bill 1642 by Rep. White).

Donna Greco, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Director said ", We value the unanimous agreement in the legislature that bills like these are high priorities to prevent sexual assault and expand options for survivors. I express our gratitude to the many champions of survivors in both the House and Senate and to the leaders that ensured the advancement of these bills. We look forward to working with the legislature to continue this work in the remainder of this legislative session."

We encourage anyone that may need help from experienced and caring professionals in your community for free and confidential help please contact a sexual assault center by calling 1-888-772-7227 or visit www.pcar.org.

Link to view video of remarks from PCAR on these bills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prksfG1Vy88