New Members of CRCC’s Executive Leadership Team

Announcing Jessica Martin, Chief Client Services Officer and Megan Williams, Chief Prevention & Education Officer

As part of on-going efforts to advance Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s mission and vision, we are excited to announce Jessica Martin as the new Chief Client Services Officer. Jessica will lead and oversee all client service efforts including case management, therapy, advocacy, regional services, and anti-human trafficking. We are also proud to announce Megan Williams as the new Chief Prevention & Education Officer who will lead, oversee and grow all prevention, education, and training services to the community.

Jessica Martin previously served as CRCC’s Director of Clinical Services in 2020, and was promoted to Senior Director of Programs and Behavioral Health in 2021. Jessica’s prior experience includes Chief Clinical Officer, Assistant Program Director, Child and Adult Trauma Therapist, Domestic Violence Advocate, and Residential Care Specialist at The Green House domestic violence shelter. Since entering the field Jessica has founded the Northeast Ohio Domestic Violence Task Force, co-created the first transitional living program for survivors in Lake County, created the award-winning Empowered Parent program in Geauga County, lead the CRCC clinical team in increasing symptom reduction from 84% to 91%, and implemented a Harm Reduction initiative that provides training and equipment to staff and survivors.

Megan Williams joined CRCC as the Director of Education & Outreach quickly making a tremendous impact in the community. Prior to joining, Megan worked with the Neighborhood Leadership Institute as the Program Manager for True2U, a career mentoring and personal development mentorship program that served 8^th grade students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the second largest school district in Ohio. Megan has spent most of her career in human resources management and organizational development in the fields of corporate manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, and professional services, with expertise in program management, curriculum development, facilitation and training.

Back-to-school is a busy and exciting time for many families across Northeast Ohio. New classes, teachers, routines, and friends can bring anticipation and adventure, but can also carry stress and unexpected challenges. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is here to support young survivors and their caregivers as they embark upon this new year.

Want to join us in creating a happy, healthy new school year? Read below for four ways you can help support students and survivors in our community this fall.

1. Talk about healthy boundaries and relationships. Did you include conversations about everyday consent, boundaries, and respect on your back-to-school checklist? Use the start of this school year as an opportunity to check in with your children on these important topics. For younger students, try these books about healthy boundaries. For teens, start a conversation about what makes healthy vs. unhealthy relationships.

2. Learn about supporting young survivors. If a student in your classroom or a child in your life tells you they have experienced sexual abuse, it’s important to know the resources available to help. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center provides a variety of services to children and primary caregivers of children exposed to sexual violence, and is always available for additional support for professionals and caregivers on the 24/7 hotline.

3. Schedule a virtual or in-person education program for your students, staff, or organization. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center offers a wide variety of prevention programs including school-based educational programs for students of all ages, training teachers and staff on how to support students who have been abused, and for parents about how to keep children safe. Request a program for your group online today or email educationoutreach@clevelandrcc.org.

4. Bookmark Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s app. Find videos, articles, and glossary terms for both youth and adults on topics like consent, healthy relationships, and keeping children safe. Our app is accessible on mobile or desktop – no download needed!

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center stands with those who have been hurt by Deshaun Watson.    

While traditional avenues of criminal justice may have failed his accusers, today’s NFL and NFLPA settlement of increased punishment is a step towards validating their experiences. Healing comes to survivors in many forms.

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center believes and supports survivors. Continued headlines are triggering for many. Our staff is available 24/7/365 online or by calling/texting (216) 619-6192.

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is proud to be named a 2022 Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by The Plain Dealer. Top Workplaces are named based on employee feedback gathered by anonymous survey.

Every day, CRCC staff members go above and beyond to provide the level of excellent services that survivors of rape and sexual abuse in our community deserve. The 2022 list includes 220 companies and organizations in three categories: Small business, medium business and large business, based on the number of employees.

We are proud to receive this recognition as 2022 Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio. 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time nationally and locally dedicated to raising public awareness about sexual violence and educating communities on how to prevent it. This year, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) is honoring the campaign with the theme, Let’s Talk!

Let’s Talk, will explore the many ways individuals can make a difference by supporting survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking. All month long, CRCC is highlighting activities such as, attending a film festival, concert, panel discussion and even an art exhibit.

“Everyone has a role to play in ending sexual assault, harassment, and abuse”, said Sondra Miller, Cleveland Rape Crisis CEO & President.  “That’s why we’re spotlighting the many opportunities for people to get involved. From the working professional, the student or community member, there’s something for everyone. Let’s get talking and create meaningful threads of conversation that show support to survivors through a trauma informed lens.”

What can you do to support SAAM?

• Wear Teal on Tuesday, April 5^th in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Terminal Tower will be lit up in all teal to help bring attention to this important issue which impacts survivors across our area.

• Take a Selfie – Help bring awareness to this issue. Take a photo of yourself wearing teal and post to your social media account using hashtag #SAAM2022. Tag Cleveland Rape Crisis Center on Facebook @ClevelandRCC, Instagram @clevelandrcc and Twitter @clevelandrcc.

• Learn more – Visit Cleveland Rape Crisis Center for a complete list of activities to participate in all month long.
• Raise awareness on these critical services for survivors: Our trained professionals are available to talk with the media and share information about how Cleveland Rape Crisis Center can help survivors. We can also coordinate with survivors to talk to the media about their experiences with Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.

About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

The mission of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promote healing and prevention, and advocate for social change. In 2020, the Center provided counseling, advocacy and crisis intervention services to 10,000 rape and sexual abuse survivors and reached thousands more through its prevention, education and training programs in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties.  For more information, visit clevelandrapecrisis.org or call 216-619-6194. The Center’s 24-hour Crisis & Support Hotline is 216-619-6192 (call/text) or clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center seeks strategic, programmatic focused candidates to apply for the open Chief Program Officer position.

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) reports to the President & CEO and is a critical member of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s (CRCC) Executive Team and responsible for leading and overseeing a comprehensive array of services and programs. The CPO supervises senior program directors and oversees services delivered across several CRCC offices, partner-based offices, community-based sites and four counties (Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga Ashtabula). On an ongoing basis, the CPO evaluates services offered by CRCC and develops new programs as needs emerge. The CPO is responsible for ensuring that CRCC’s services are in compliance with CARF, OHMAS, licensing requirements, and programmatic grant deliverables.

The CPO partners with positional peers (Chief External Affairs Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief People & Culture Officer) while overseeing all program planning, organizing, operating, and staffing. The CPO provides expert matter support, consultation and training to CRCC staff and the community at large.

Read the full Chief Program Officer job description here.

How to Apply

If you are an exceptional leader with the qualifications, attributes, drive and determination required to be extraordinary, we are very interested in speaking with you.

Please submit your interest in confidence to:

Karen Nichols 
Sr. Consultant, Executive Search                                             
Ratliff & Taylor, Inc.
knichols@rtcpi.com                                                                    
412-638-0880 cell                                                                        

Stacy Urbanic
Sr. Consultant, Executive Search
Ratliff & Taylor, Inc.
surbanic@rtcpi.com
440-829-6185 cell

In recent weeks, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) has experienced an outpouring of public support in response to the Brown’s decision to add Deshaun Watson to the team.

As of this morning, more than 2,000 new donors have given over $100,000 in support of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s mission and services.  About 1/3 of donors referenced the Browns and/or Deshaun as the motivation to give.  An equal amount of donors gave $22 – in support of the 22 women who have accused Watson of sexual assault and currently have civil cases pending against him. 

“While we are reminded that even today, many survivors are still suffering in silence, we are hopeful that the national conversation that is occurring will propel the anti-sexual violence movement” said Sarah Trimble, Chief External Affairs Officer, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. 

Calls to Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s 24-hour hotline increased more than 130% immediately after the Browns announced Deshaun Watson as quarterback. 

“Survivors are seeking support at heightened levels.  I am proud of our ability to meet the increased demand for services. Thanks to this outpouring of support, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is positioned to ensure that anyone who reaches out to the Center can receive the highest level of care.”

Please join us in the movement to end sexual violence in the following ways:

• Participate in our upcoming ambassador training to gain skills in preventing sexual violence and allying with survivors
• Invite Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s prevention programming to your school, work or place of worship
• Invest in the work and mission of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center by donating now.

About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

The mission of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promote healing and prevention, and advocate for social change. In 2020, the Center provided counseling, advocacy and crisis intervention services to 10,000 rape and sexual abuse survivors and reached thousands more through its prevention, education and training programs in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties.  For more information, visit clevelandrapecrisis.org or call 216-619-6194. The Center’s 24-hour Crisis & Support Hotline is 216-619-6192 (call/text) or clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.

Abril es el Mes de Concientización sobre la Agresión Sexual (Sexual Assault Awareness Month, SAAM). El tema del Cleveland Rape Crisis Center para el SAAM 2024 es El Consentimiento Importa.

Las relaciones saludables crean comunidades saludables.Este abril, ayúdenos a entablar conversaciones sobre el consentimiento, la prevención de la violencia sexual y el apoyo a los sobrevivientes.

Read in English.

Ocho maneras de involucrarse este abril

¡Usted puede marcar la diferencia durante el Mes de Concientización sobre la Agresión Sexual! Estas son ocho formas para ayudar a crear conciencia

1. Vístase de color aguamarina el 2 de abril y publique una foto en las redes sociales.
2. Apoye a los sobrevivientes en una Capacitación para embajadores o en uno de los numerosos eventos del SAAM de nuestra comunidad. (Aquí está el 8 x 10 o 11 x 17 calendario para imprimir).
3. Visite nuestra aplicación para conocer consejos acerca de cómo hablar sobre las relaciones saludables con niños y adolescentes (en inglés).
4. Envíe un correo electrónico a educationoutreach@clevelandrcc.org para solicitar un programa educativo sobre el para su escuela, lugar de culto u organización (en inglés).
5. Difunda la concientización en las redes sociales con estos mensajes de ejemplo o comparta información sobre el SAAM en el boletín de abril de su empresa.
6. Imprima y cuelgue un afiche del SAAM 2024 en su salón de clases u oficina. 
7. Aprenda sobre los servicios del Cleveland Rape Crisis Center para poder compartirlos con un sobreviviente en su vida.
8. Done en línea o inicie una recaudación de fondos para apoyar a los sobrevivientes en nuestra comunidad.

Recursos adicionales del SAAM para compartir:

Lea, imprima y comparta los siguientes recursos con sus estudiantes, colegas y amigos.

• Páginas para colorear
• Cómo apoyar a un sobreviviente
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center SAAM Toolkit (en inglés)
• Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence SAAM Toolkit (en inglés)