Photo Credit: flyparade
Rape crisis centers are often the unseen heroes of our communities. Throughout the year, they work tirelessly to meet the needs of survivors and their families, as well as implement prevention strategies and education in the areas they serve. The winter months can prove especially difficult for survivors and for center operation, which is why we’re focusing this week’s blog on what rape crisis centers need this winter and how community members and businesses can help meet those needs.
Rape crisis centers experience increased strain in winter months because survivors and staff have more pressing needs during this time.
For survivors, their options to evacuate themselves and their families are even more limited with extreme cold temperatures. Access to warm foods and clothes are essential, and rape crisis centers are often one of the few locations that they can turn to for support. Icy roads and snowed out streets can also make the journey to these centers even more difficult. It must be our collective duty to ensure that each and every survivor can access the services and resources rape crisis centers provide as easily as possible. Simultaneously, we need to ensure that mental health resources are easily accessible for these survivors who are managing trauma through a dark and challenging period.
Rape crisis center staff also face added obstacles during winter months. The aforementioned survivor needs require more time, energy, and money than usual from staff members. They may be managing both vicarious trauma from the nature of the work as well as seasonal depression. Staff are stretched incredibly thin emotionally, mentally, and physically because of the degree of need and the widespread burnout and turnover in the field. All of these factors are compounded by significant state and federal budget cuts to victim services.
The good news is that employers and community members can play a vital role in meeting the needs of rape crisis centers this season and all-year-round! Below are some areas of need we have identified, but we recommend reaching out to them directly to find out what their most pressing needs are.
Clothing
When survivors escape from unsafe homes, often they leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs. This can be particularly dangerous during extreme weather. Rape crisis centers would be immensely grateful for clothing donations, particularly coats, warm socks, gloves, boots, scarves, and hats/beanies. They are also in dire need of underwear and maternity wear, but these items should be new due to health concerns. Centers should be contacted about the needs for those items and what their standards are.
Sleep and Warmth Essentials
Sexual violence can lead to homelessness, and homelessness can lead to sexual violence. Whether a survivor is staying in a shelter or on the streets, they need to be as warm and comfortable as possible at night. Sleep-associated items like sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, and sheets can make all the difference in the world for survivors, particularly in the winter months.
Gift Cards
Gift cards grant rape crisis center staff the most liberty to get the purchases they need. Food that meets survivor health needs and factors in food restrictions can be bought with grocery store gift cards. Gas station or rideshare gift cards can aid both survivors in reaching the locations they need and staff driving out to provide emergency transportation or other services. Pharmacy gift cards can serve to meet the hygienic needs of survivors (menstrual products, toiletries, etc.) as well as their medical needs (prescriptions, breast pumps, formula, etc.). Gift cards to multipurpose stores can make shopping for many of these items simpler and more time effective for staff as well.
Volunteers
Staff have so much to do and not enough hours in the day or funds to do them. While people may automatically assume that center staff primarily need counselors, there are many other actions community members can do that are helpful but don’t require extensive training or other skill sets. Shoveling snow, collecting donations, and staffing tables at donation drives are just a few things everyone can do.
Employers can also encourage volunteerism amongst their employees by rewarding community service. These employees can transfer their valuable skills to meet center needs, including data entry, tech support, social media scheduling, graphic design, managing budget and donations, and grant research or proofreading grant proposals.
Increased Funding Support
The greatest need rape crisis centers have is funding. Calling legislators, emailing senators, making noise on social media, and uplifting these centers in any way possible is essential. Community members and employers should connect with their local rape crisis centers to see what messaging they want brought out into the world. Furthermore, businesses, employers, and individuals can consider recurring donations to their local rape crisis center. If whole communities come together and affirm the need for increased funding to those in power, survivors will be safer, staff will feel supported, and the future will be more secure. Rape crisis centers can be found through RALIANCE’s Rape Crisis Center Directory.
Just a few days ago we rang in the new year, and the new year is an excellent time to reflect on where we are now and where we’d like these next 12 months to take us. This season and every season, we see the potential in everyone around us to support the centers that give us so much. Winter, spring, summer, and fall, let’s help rape crisis centers make our communities safer for all.
RALIANCE is a trusted adviser for organizations committed to building cultures that are safe, equitable, and respectful. RALIANCE offers unparalleled expertise in serving survivors of sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse which drives our mission to help organizations across sectors create inclusive environments for all. For more information, please visit www.RALIANCE.org.