Forty-Five Years of Supporting Survivors

February 4, 2019

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Crisis & Support Hotline received its first call forty-five years ago today, on February 4, 1974. The hotline was founded in response to Cleveland’s long-standing need for services to assist survivors of sexual assault.

A 1976 grant allowed Cleveland Rape Crisis Center to begin expanding services and hire four full-time staff members, the “Founding Mothers”: Lynn Hammond, Carrie Zander, Lorraine Schalamon and Jeanne Van Atta.

To mark the 45th anniversary of our first hotline call, we invite you to view our gallery of archival photos, newspaper clippings, and publications from the early history of the Center.

Volunteers Group Photo 1977 — Cleveland Rape Crisis Center volunteers in 1977.

Award given to the founders in August 1978.

Rape Resource Pamphlet - Rights of Victims — A list of victims’ rights printed in 1970s pamphlet.

February 1996 Plain Dealer article, “Center is place to turn to when rape happens.”

A child in a "My Body Belongs to Me" t-shirt — A child in a Cleveland Rape Crisis Center “My Body Belongs to Me” t-shirt.

CRCC Moves Mountains — The cover of a 1979 calendar from the Center.

Volunteers Needed for Rape Center - Plain Dealer - 02-04-1983 — February 1983 Plain Dealer article, “Volunteers Needed for Rape Center.”

I Broke this Board at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center — A participant at a self-defense activity.

A Decade of Dedication collage — A 1984 newsletter collage, highlighting the first ten years.

A Cleveland Rape Crisis Center logo from the 1990s.