Dear Friend:
This is urgent. Will you use your voice in support of survivors today?
Over the past few years, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has experienced significant funding cuts. Tomorrow morning, the Senate Finance Committee will meet to determine their recommendations for the state budget for the next two years.
We’re calling on residents of Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga Counties to contact Finance Committee members Senator Dolan and Senator Cirino, today. You can use the sample message and contact information below to urge them to include Cleveland Rape Crisis Center in their recommendations. This funding would support targeted services for youth at risk of human trafficking.
Your voice can make a difference.
Thank you for taking action and supporting survivors!
Sondra Miller
President & CEO
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
For residents of Cuyahoga County:
Senator Matt Dolan
Dolan@ohiosenate.gov (cc: Sarah.Totedo@ohiosenate.gov)
(614) 466-8056
For residents of Lake and Geauga County:
Senator Jerry Cirino
Cirino@ohiosenate.gov (cc: Jacob.Dowling@ohiosenate.gov)
(614) 644-7718
Dear Senator [insert your lawmaker],
My name is [your name]. I am a constituent writing you from [your city] to urge you to financially support the work of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center operates the 24/7 Human Trafficking hotline in Northeast Ohio and is a lead service provider. Over the past four years, the Center has answered 767 hotline calls and provided crisis intervention, counseling, and justice system advocacy to 1,248 people.
The Center’s new Drop-In Facility fills a gap in services for survivors of Human Trafficking. Specifically, the agency has a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) to provide targeted services for youth coming out of detention. These youth are among the most at-risk population for trafficking in the state. This site will provide the following intensive onsite services:
There is currently no funding tied to this MOU. Please support an amendment to Sub. House Bill 110 to provide $300,000 each fiscal year for these services through the DYS budget.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center provides direct services to more than 10,000 survivors in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake Counties each year. Another 55,000 individuals are engaged through outreach, prevention, and training activities.
The Center received a 71% cut in VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding over the past few years, totaling more than $3 million in lost revenue. Your support today will make sure that our communities most vulnerable citizens will have access to the services they so desperately need.
Thank you for your consideration,
[Insert your name]
If you or a loved one have experienced rape or sexual abuse, no matter how long ago, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is here for you during COVID-19.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s counseling, advocacy, and case management services are available remotely via telehealth and teleservices, as well as in person.
In-person counseling, advocacy and case management services are available by appointment at our Clark-Fulton Office, Mentor Office, Shaker Square Office, Ashtabula Office, and Human Trafficking Drop-In Center.
Counseling, advocacy and case management are available by telehealth and teleservices, accessible by smart phone, computer or phone. Learn more about accessing services remotely.
At Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, our first priority is the health and safety of our clients. We are taking every possible precaution to keep you safe when you visit Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, including:
Clients, guests and visitors are expected to maintain physical distancing of at least six feet. Please practice good hygiene, including thorough hand-washing and avoiding touching your face. Please eliminate direct contact with others and avoid touching surfaces touched by others, to the extent feasible.
We want to make sure you can access the support you need – whether it’s in person, via telehealth, a phone call, or text. Support and healing are just a text or phone call away.
Make an appointment today for telehealth, remote, or in-person services. Call (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020 24/7, or request an appointment online.
Si usted o un ser querido ha sufrido una violación o abuso sexual, sin importar hace cuánto ocurrió, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center está aquí para ayudarle durante la COVID-19.
Los servicios de psicoterapia, asistencia a las víctimas y gestión de casos de Cleveland Rape Crisis Center están disponibles de manera remota por medio de la telemedicina y los teleservicios, como así también en persona.
Los servicios de psicoterapia, asistencia a las víctimas y gestión de casos en persona están disponibles previa cita en la oficina de Clark-Fulton, en la oficina de Mentor, la oficina de Shaker Square, y Centro de Asistencia para Víctimas de la Trata de Personas.
Los servicios de psicoterapia, asistencia a las víctimas y gestión de casos se encuentran disponibles por medio de la telemedicina y los teleservicios a los cuales se puede acceder por teléfono móvil inteligente, computadora o teléfono fijo.
En Cleveland Rape Crisis Center nuestra máxima prioridad es la salud y la seguridad de nuestros clientes. Estamos tomando todas las precauciones posibles para preservar su seguridad cuando visite Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, entre las que se incluyen:
Los clientes y visitantes deben mantener el distanciamiento físico de por lo menos seis pies (2 metros). Por favor, mantenga buenos hábitos de higiene que incluyan lavarse las manos correctamente y evitar tocarse la cara. No entre en contacto directo con otros y evite tocar superficies que otras personas hayan tocado, en la medida posible.
Queremos garantizarle el acceso a la asistencia que necesite, ya sea en persona, a través de la telemedicina, por llamado telefónico o mensaje de texto. Puede obtener asistencia y sanación con solo una llamada telefónica o mensaje de texto.
Programe una cita hoy mismo para recibir servicios de telemedicina, remotos o en persona. Llame al (216) 619-6194, número interno 145 y deje un mensaje, póngase en contacto con la línea de asistencia (en inglés – (216) 619-6192), o solicite una cita en línea.
Expands with Official Opening of NEW Drop-In Center to Serve Survivors of Human Trafficking
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center marks this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) with activities, films, discussions and the official opening of the new Human Trafficking Drop-in Center. The entire month of April will be dedicated to supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse by engaging the community across Northeast Ohio to raise awareness on this issue.
“For many survivors, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is a safe place for them to share their story,” said Sondra Miller, President and CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. “It’s critically important for us to be there for survivors, whenever and wherever they need us. That’s why we’re continuously evolving the types of services we offer survivors. The opening of the drop-in center allows us to innovate the way we typically provide our services and give survivors of human trafficking a safe place with a wide-range of ways to support them.”
The new drop-in center offers a central location for survivors of human trafficking (both sex and labor) to access care and support. It will offer crisis support, advocacy, counseling, case management, job readiness, education opportunities, financial classes and many other supportive services to ensure long-term stability.
What can you do to support SAAM?
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.
The following is a list of events taking place in Northeast Ohio during Sexual Assault Awareness Month which Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is either hosting, partnering to present, or participating in, to raise awareness about rape and sexual abuse in our community.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is developing a mobile application to provide sexual violence prevention content to teens and adults.
We will be hosting virtual focus groups to gather input about the features you would like to see in this app. The focus groups will be facilitated by CRCC staff. Participant feedback will be compiled anonymously.
Incentives: Each participant will receive a $25 VISA gift card.
Date: Wednesday, March 3, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: The focus group will be conducted virtually on Zoom. Participants will be contacted via email with the Zoom link.
Questions? Please email Kim Haggerty at kimh@clevelandrcc.org.
Encourage them to apply for Youth 360, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Youth Advisory and Leadership Alliance. Youth 360 members will receive a $25 gift card for their participation in a youth focus group.
Relationships portrayed in the media can give teens a confusing picture of what a supportive, loving relationship looks like. As a parent, teacher, or caring adult, you can support them as they navigate their first dating experiences. Read the characteristics below to help your teen or students understand what a healthy relationship looks like, and how to know when a relationship is unhealthy.
We’re here to support you. Text or call the Crisis and Support Hotline anytime of the day or night at (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020, or chat online.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center today announced that Teresa Stafford has been promoted to Chief Program Officer. In her role, Stafford will oversee all Cleveland Rape Crisis Center programs, including clinical, advocacy and 24-hour services; case management; and prevention, education and community outreach.
“During her years of service at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Teresa has had a profound impact on the lives of survivors,” said Sondra Miller, President and CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. “From provoking systems changes to making sure each individual survivor is supported throughout their journey, she is the strongest of strong advocates and we are so excited to welcome her into this new role.”
Stafford is uniquely qualified for this role with her decade of experience at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center in direct service and program leadership positions, including Victim Advocate, Director of Victim Advocacy, Sr. Director of Victim Services and Outreach and Chief Advocacy Officer.
“I am humbled to take on this new role,” said Stafford. “I will continue to advance Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s mission while ensuring our services are timely, and programming is innovative and meets the needs of all survivors in our community.”
Stafford is a nationally sought-after speaker and trainer with unduplicated expertise. She has held leadership roles with numerous community coalitions, task forces and advisory boards, including a term as President of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. She has received numerous awards, including Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Peter A Demarco Extraordinary Service Award, National Sexual Violence Resource Center Visionary Award, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Robert Denton Special Achievement Award.
Ms. Stafford is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and holds a degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University.
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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.
By Keyna Smith, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking and Advocacy
CLEVELAND — January is a time to start anew. But January is also a time to remember some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals, as it is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. According to the Ohio Department of Health, human trafficking is “one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world,” with more than $35 billion illegally acquired annually. ODH says that cases have been reported in every state and that Ohio has ranked as high as fifth among all states in total reported human trafficking cases.
You may ask, what exactly is human trafficking? The textbook definition is the exploitation of a person through force, fraud or coercion, and the most common types are sex and labor trafficking. Sex trafficking is when sex is exchanged for something the individual needs or wants, such as food, shelter, money or drugs by way of physical or emotional force, manipulation or false promises for a better way of life, education or glamour. Labor trafficking is when individuals are forced to work for little to no pay, and sometimes there is an intersection between labor and sex trafficking.
While these definitions give a glimpse into what the issue is, it doesn’t explain why traffickers decide to force someone to do these things. The answer? It’s all about power, control and financial gain. Traffickers exploit individuals’ trust and make false promises and inflict severe and long-term physical and psychological trauma for their own financial gain.
Human trafficking thrives in the shadows of our community, where survivors feel unseen. However, survivors actually live in the open in the same communities in which they are being exploited.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made those shadows bigger and darker. People have lost their power, control and financial stability, so we fear that human trafficking is on the rise and survivors are not being seen or heard.
Want to learn more about human trafficking?
RSVP today for an upcoming Human Trafficking Identification and Awareness Training.
