Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) officially unveiled a new Soft Interview Room at its Ashtabula office on Thursday, April 23, 2026, marking a significant step forward in creating more trauma-informed, survivor-centered systems in Northeast Ohio.
The ribbon-cutting event, held during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), brought together CRCC leadership, the Ashtabula County Prosecutor’s Office and community partners to celebrate this important advancement in supporting survivors of sexual violence.
The Soft Interview Room is designed to provide a safe, calming environment for survivors to participate in interviews with law enforcement and prosecutors, reducing re-traumatization and supporting more compassionate, effective responses.
This initiative was inspired and informed by Project Beloved, a national organization dedicated to supporting survivors and promoting trauma-informed practices. Project Beloved provided design guidance for the space—including furniture, lighting, and color selection—and contributed meaningful wall art and “Beloved Bundles” that offer comfort to survivors following forensic interviews.
“This space represents what it looks like when systems come together with survivors at the center,” said Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President & CEO of CRCC. “For many survivors, sharing their story is one of the most difficult steps in the healing and justice process. Creating an environment that feels safe, respectful, and supportive is not just important—it’s essential. This is how we begin to break down barriers and build real safety in our communities.”
The Soft Interview Room will be utilized by law enforcement as a dedicated space to conduct sensitive interviews, helping to foster trust and improve outcomes for survivors navigating the justice system.
April Grabman, Ashtabula County Prosecutor, emphasized the importance of collaboration in improving the justice response to sexual violence. “This partnership allows us to approach these cases with greater care and sensitivity,” said Prosecutor Grabman. “Having access to a space like this helps ensure that survivors are treated with the respect they deserve and provided a setting where they can share their experiences without feeling like they are under suspicion.”
Chief Deputy Terry A. Moisio of the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office shared his support for the initiative. “Creating a setting like this allows us to approach interviews with greater empathy and care,” said Chief Deputy Moisio. “When survivors feel more at ease, it not only supports their sense of safety but also helps us do our jobs more effectively. This is an important step forward for our community.”
“This room reflects our commitment to meeting survivors where they are,” said Jessica Martin, Chief Program Officer at CRCC. “We know that environment plays a crucial role in supporting a survivor’s healing and courage as they share their story. By creating a space intentionally designed to reduce stress and promote comfort, we are supporting survivors in a way that honors their experiences and strengthens their ability to engage in the process.”
The event included remarks from CRCC leadership and community partners, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tours of the space. The room will now serve as a resource for law enforcement and prosecutors working with survivors in Ashtabula County.
This effort aligns with CRCC’s 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month theme, Breaking Barriers. Building Safety., and underscores the organization’s ongoing commitment to advancing trauma-informed practices across systems that serve survivors.
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About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) provides free, confidential, trauma-informed services to survivors of sexual violence across Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Lake, and Geauga counties. Services include a 24/7 hotline, counseling, advocacy, and prevention education. CRCC works to support survivors, educate the community, and advocate for systemic change to end sexual violence.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) and The Centers are proud to announce an expansion of services within the Medical Suite at CRCC’s Human Trafficking Drop-In Center. Through this continued partnership, Hepatitis C (Hep C) testing will now be available on-site, providing critical, low-barrier healthcare access for survivors of human trafficking.
This new offering builds on the collaborative Medical Suite model, designed to meet survivors where they are by integrating trauma-informed medical care into a safe, trusted environment. Survivors accessing the Drop-In Center can now receive Hep C testing as part of a holistic approach to care—removing barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking or receiving essential health services.
Hepatitis C is a serious but treatable condition that can disproportionately impact individuals who have experienced trafficking and exploitation. By offering testing directly within the Drop-In Center, CRCC and The Centers are taking another step toward ensuring survivors have access to early detection, treatment pathways, and long-term health support.
Importantly, there are no sobriety requirements to access testing or treatment. This approach recognizes that traditional barriers such as requiring abstinence can prevent individuals from seeking care. By removing those barriers, this initiative ensures that survivors can access services when they are ready, in a way that respects their autonomy and lived experience.
“This expansion reflects what it truly means to meet survivors where they are,” said Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. “By bringing Hepatitis C testing into a space that is already grounded in trust, dignity, and trauma-informed care, we are reducing barriers and expanding access in a way that honors each survivor’s experience. This is about health, healing, and ensuring that no one is left without the care they deserve.”
The Medical Suite, developed in partnership with The Centers, represents an innovative approach to survivor care—embedding accessible medical services within a supportive, survivor-centered setting.
“The Centers is proud to continue this partnership with Cleveland Rape Crisis Center to expand access to essential healthcare services,” said Eric L. Morse, President and CEO of The Centers. “Offering Hepatitis C testing within the Drop-In Center allows us to connect with individuals who may not otherwise seek care, providing an opportunity for early intervention and improved health outcomes. This is what community-based, integrated care should look like.”
The addition of Hep C testing reflects CRCC’s broader commitment to addressing the complex and intersecting needs of human trafficking survivors. By co-locating services and reducing systemic barriers, the organization continues to advance innovative, survivor-centered solutions.
“This is a meaningful step forward in how we support survivors of human trafficking,” said Jessica Martin, Chief Program Officer at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. “Access to healthcare is a critical part of healing, and by offering testing in a space that feels safe and accessible, we are helping to remove fear and uncertainty from the process. Our goal is always to create pathways to care that are compassionate, responsive, and rooted in the realities survivors face.”
The Hepatitis C testing initiative is now available at CRCC’s Human Trafficking Drop-In Center. Survivors can access services confidentially and at no cost.
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About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center supports survivors of sexual violence through free, trauma-informed services including advocacy, counseling, and prevention education. Serving Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties, CRCC is committed to promoting healing, justice, and prevention.
About The Centers
By healing, teaching, and inspiring individuals and families to reach their full potential, The Centers offers an integrated model coordinates health and wellness services, including primary care, behavioral health care, addiction services, HIV treatment, in-house pharmacies, and dental. The Centers also provides family support programs, including early childhood development, career training, and job placement. This continuum of care includes Youth Residential services at The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus®, which offers safe, trauma-responsive support for youth. The Centers is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit organizations in Northeast Ohio, serving more than 20,000 people annually in our community. Visit TheCentersOhio.org to learn more.
The week of April 19 to 25, 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. NCVRW is a time-honored tradition that recognizes the plight of victims and survivors, and elevates their voices so that when they speak, America can listen and learn.
The 2026 NCVRW theme is: Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.
Find helpful outreach tools and sample materials to help raise awareness for victims’ rights and services in your community.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) is proud to partner with The Tea Lab on a meaningful collaboration in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) this April. Together, they are introducing a limited-edition loose-leaf tea, the “I Believe You” Blend, created to support survivors and raise awareness across the community.
Crafted by The Tea Lab, the caffeine-free blend features Greek mountain tea, rose, lemon balm, ashwagandha, lemongrass, lavender, and other botanicals known for their calming properties—intentionally designed to promote comfort and care.
“We were excited to collaborate with Cleveland Rape Crisis Center on this special project for Sexual Assault Awareness Month,” said Carlos E. Ramos, Owner of The Tea Lab. “We’ve always believed in supporting our community, and this was a creative way to do so. We hope this blend offers a small sense of calm and care for those who need it most.”
The “I Believe You” Blend will be sold in 2-ounce tins for $14.99, with $3 from every purchase donated directly to CRCC to support free, confidential services for survivors of sexual violence, including counseling, advocacy, and prevention education.
“This partnership is a powerful reminder that community care can take many forms,” said Nicole McKinney-Johnson, CRCC President & CEO. “Through something as simple and intentional as a cup of tea, we’re able to uplift survivors and reinforce a message that matters deeply: we believe you, and you are not alone.”
The limited-edition blend will be available throughout April at The Tea Lab and online at tealabcle.com.
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About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center supports survivors of sexual violence through trauma-informed advocacy, counseling, and prevention services across Northeast Ohio. Services are free and confidential and available 24/7 via hotline at (216) 619-6192.
About The Tea Lab
The Tea Lab is a Lakewood-based tea company known for its thoughtfully crafted blends and commitment to community engagement.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The following is a list of events taking place in Northeast Ohio during SAAM. Join Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and our community partners as we raise awareness and support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
As national conversations around sexual abuse and exploitation again draw public attention, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) is bringing the focus to where healing and accountability happen every day: at the local level.
On March 5, CRCC hosted its first-ever State of CRCC, convening civic leaders, funders, advocates, and community partners to provide a comprehensive update on the local landscape of sexual violence response and outline the next chapter of survivor-centered care in Northeast Ohio.
While the event was planned as part of CRCC’s strategic commitment to transparency and community engagement, the renewed national spotlight on sexual violence underscores the timeliness of the conversation.
The event featured a powerful address from Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President & CEO, followed by a live fireside chat with Lisa Radigan, CRCC Board Chair, and Dána Langford, CRCC Vice Chair and President & CEO of Village of Healing.
During the program, CRCC formally unveiled three foundational documents:
Together, these documents outline the current landscape of sexual violence response locally, emerging trends in survivor needs, and CRCC’s long-term roadmap for sustainable, survivor-centered systems of care.
“National headlines often spark renewed public attention,” said Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President & CEO of CRCC. “But survivor support is not episodic. It requires infrastructure, prevention, mental health integration, and sustained community investment. The State of CRCC is our opportunity to speak clearly about what that looks like at the local level.”
The organization’s updated data reflects the complexity of today’s survivor landscape. In 2025 alone, CRCC documented more than 15,000 survivor support interactions, provided human trafficking support to 306 survivors and expanded integrated therapeutic services that include suicide risk screening and long-term counseling.
The new Strategic Plan focuses on strengthening prevention efforts, deepening cross-sector partnerships, expanding culturally responsive care, and ensuring workforce sustainability for trauma-informed service delivery.
Moments like this are important because they reflect responsible and forward-thinking leadership,” said Lisa Radigan, CRCC Board Chair. “It’s not enough to do meaningful work — we have to create space to examine it, strengthen it for the long term, and meaningfully engage with the community regarding the needs of survivors. Convening leaders around survivor care reinforces that this responsibility belongs to all of us.”
Held during Women’s History Month, the event highlights women-led leadership shaping one of Northeast Ohio’s primary survivor advocacy institutions.
“Community healing doesn’t happen in isolation,” said Dána Langford, CRCC Vice-Chair and President & CEO of Village of Healing. “It requires collaboration, courageous dialogue, and sustained partnership. Convenings like this signal that our region is committed not just to responding to harm — but to building stronger systems that prevent it.”
While the national climate reinforces the urgency of sexual violence prevention and response, CRCC emphasizes that its work remains steady, long-term, and locally grounded.
“Attention fades,” McKinney-Johnson added. “But the need for survivor-centered systems does not. Our responsibility is to build the infrastructure that allows healing to continue —consistently, responsibly, and compassionately.”
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About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) provides free, confidential services to survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking throughout Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties. Services include a 24/7 hotline, advocacy, counseling, prevention education, and professional training.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, a milestone rooted in truth, remembrance, and resilience. What began in 1926 as a way to honor Black life and leadership has grown into a global recognition of both the immeasurable contributions of Black communities and the enduring impact of systemic injustice.
At Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC), this moment holds deep meaning.
Black history is not separate from the work we do—it is woven into it. It lives in the experiences of Black survivors who have navigated violence, silence, and systemic barriers, and in the strength and brilliance they bring with them. As we commemorate this centennial year, we honor the past while recommitting ourselves to the future we are working to build.
For many Black survivors, history has included being unseen, unheard, or disbelieved. Racism, misogynoir, and inequitable systems continue to shape how Black survivors experience sexual violence and access care. Yet Black communities have always led with care—creating networks of protection, advocacy, and healing long before formal systems were available.
Commemorating this milestone invites reflection and accountability—acknowledging where systems have failed Black survivors and strengthening our commitment to culturally responsive, accessible, and affirming services.
It also calls us to recognize that this work is never done alone.
We extend deep gratitude to the community stakeholders, grassroots leaders, partner organizations, ambassadors, advocates, and change-makers who stand alongside us every day. Together, we fight for justice, expand access to care, reduce stigma, and create pathways to healing—not only for vulnerable populations, but intentionally and unapologetically for Black survivors. Your leadership, collaboration, and courage make this work stronger and more sustainable.
This centennial is not only about honoring history—it is about shaping what comes next.
As we reflect on 100 years of Black history, CRCC stands alongside Black survivors with care, humility, and purpose. Because honoring Black history means building a future where Black survivors are fully seen and fully supported.
Take action today to help Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) provide life-changing support to survivors in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake counties. Check out these ideas for how your business or group can get involved in Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Take Action
Email kellys@clevelandrcc.org or call (440) 701-5798 today.
Thank you for supporting survivors!
