“GENEVA — More than 50 people in the county used services provided by the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center last year.
“In September, the center opened an Ashtabula office at 5021 State Road, after operating for the last three years out of Homesafe for just a few hours each week, Jennifer Schlosser, director of community engagement at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is headquartered in downtown Cleveland and serves Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties through 17 office locations.
“In 2017 in Ashtabula County alone, the center provided direct services, such as individual counseling and victim assistance services, to more than 50 clients, and engaged more than 1,300 individuals through outreach activities such as professional trainings and community outreach events, Schlosser said.
“She said in addition to individual counseling, support groups and victim assistance services, the center supports survivors and their loved ones via its 24/7 Crisis and Support Hotline via phone or text at (440) 423-2020 or chat at www.clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.
“’We also offer professional training services for organizations such as law enforcement, medical and college,’ she said.
“Rachel Wright, an outreach specialist for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, will be a guest speaker at a medical forum, sponsored by University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center, at the Geneva Community Center Hall on Wednesday.
“Wright will speak on services, counseling, victim support and the center’s free hotline. The forum will take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Geneva Community Center at 72 W. Main.”
Continue reading: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Specialist to Speak in Geneva
“CLEVELAND – Northeast Ohio native Erika Port had her own #MeToo moment years before household names like Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose and organizations like USA Gymnastics were brought down by allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexual abuse.
“‘When I spoke out more people felt empowered to say you know this happened to me too by that abuser,’ Port explained.
“Port met her abuser when she was just a freshman in high school and he was a senior.
“‘I was 14 when I met him, 15 when the sex abuse, verbal abuse, mental abuse, stalking, all sorts of types of abuse started happening,’ she explained.
“The third time Port reported her abuser, she went to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center for support, guidance and help.
“Since then the #MeToo movement has not only removed powerful people, like movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, from positions within their industries, but it has spurned a national outcry for justice.
“‘Some callers feel very empowered by what they’ve seen in the news media and seeing offenders finally be held accountable, seeing survivors demonstrate the courage that it takes to come forward,’ said Sondra Miller, the President and CEO of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
“Since the MeToo movement began, they have seen a massive increase in calls for support, people seeking counseling and people looking for help to maneuver the justice system.
“‘We were averaging just over 3,000 calls on our hotline a year for pretty close to a decade and there’s been a steady increase and this year we’re expecting close to 7,000 calls on the hotline,’ Miller said.”
Continue reading: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Credits #MeToo Movement for Increase in Assault Reports.
Thanks to your generous support at Sing Out!, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center exceeded its fundraising goals! These funds enable survivors of rape and sexual abuse to receive critical, life-saving services they need to recover, heal and thrive.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center would like to thank the chorale members, sponsors, host committee, community partners, event chairs, and friends who made Sing Out! 2018 possible. This incredible outpouring of community support allows Cleveland Rape Crisis Center to reach more in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties with healing services and prevention education.
Thank you for showing survivors that they are not alone!
“A months-long investigation into outcomes of rape cases in Cuyahoga County revealed dozens of accused rapists evaded Ohio’s sex offender registry.
“Our investigative team reviewed every case involving rape charges filed in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas from 2014 to 2016. We found close to one in five defendants charged with rape accepted what one local judge calls ‘factually baseless’ plea deals, and those defendants were not required to register as sex offenders.”
“…Stafford said the impact of ‘factually baseless’ plea bargains can be devastating for victims.
“‘Some feel re-victimized,’ she said. ‘Some survivors feel they didn’t receive validation. It minimizes their abuse and their experience and that the offender wasn’t really held accountable at all for the situation.’
“She said the deals also send victims the message that no one believes their stories and what happened to them was not a serious crime.”
Continue Reading: Evading Justice: How Some Accused Rapists in Cuyahoga County Avoid the Sex Offender Registry (News 5)
The Sing Out! Chorale was in studio on Fox 8 News in the Morning to raise awareness for Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Sing Out! , a one-night-only performance coming up on May 24 at Severance Hall. The entire Chorale, made up of over 100 community leaders, will raise their voices to inspire change and raise funds for the Center’s life-saving services.
Enjoy the following videos and purchase your tickets today to be part of a fundraiser like no other!
Tickets can be purchased on our website.
Teresa Stafford, Senior Director of Victim Services and Outreach for Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, was recognized by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, with the 2018 Robert Denton Special Achievement Award. The award is designed to recognize the outstanding services of individuals and/or organizations empowering victims of crime in Ohio. The award was presented at the Attorney General’s Two Days in May conference in Columbus.
“Sing Out is a concert fundraising event hosted by Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. It’s coming up on May 24. Host committee co-chair Kristen Baird Adams and Board Chair Kim Bixenstine talk about this unique event.”
This video was originally published by WKYC.
Tickets can be purchased on our website.
“It’s a wonderful, respectful, joyful, hopeful community of music.” – Paul Clark, PNC, Sing Out! 2018 Co-Chair
On May 24, over 100 local celebrity leaders will Sing Out! for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. This event raises critical funds to support Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s life-saving services. Purchase tickets today!
