Pittsburgh Action Against Rape is continuing to serve victims in Allegheny County, despite funding challenges amid the ongoing budget impasse. “Serving victims is our mission, regardless of what the state legislature is doing. And quite frankly, right now, they’re not doing their job, but we are going to continue to do ours,” said PAAR Executive Director Sadie Restivo. As the sole rape crisis center in Allegheny County, Restivo said PAAR serves about 2,500 victims yearly. Roughly a quarter are children. “We respond to all area emergency departments when a victim goes into the hospital. We also run a 24-hour, 365-day help line, and we do trauma processing therapy,” Restivo said. “And we have an entire education department for prevention and education.”Those services are made possible due in part to state funding. According to Restivo, money from the commonwealth makes up 20% of the organization’s budget. However, since Pennsylvania hasn’t had a state budget in more than 100 days, PAAR is down on critical funds. “As of July, we have not received any payment from the state, which is putting a huge financial strain on our resources, on our ability to continue to provide services to victims,” Restivo told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.The executive director said they had to cut two positions as a result. They’ve also implemented a spending freeze where purchases are limited to essential items only. “This looks like for us, having to ask some of our very valued vendors and companies to please hold on their invoices or asking for forgiveness for late payment, which is not something anyone wants to do,” Restivo said. A total of $12 million from the state is divided between Pennsylvania’s 47 rape crisis centers annually, according to Restivo. She said they haven’t seen an increase in five years. Despite the hardships, Restivo said the organization is committed to being available for every victim in need of their help. “The inefficiency and the lack of having a budget in Harrisburg is simply on the backs of survivors, and they’ve already been through enough,” Restivo said. “Surviving is half of the battle, and they’ve already done that. And to put this on their back is just something that is incomprehensible at this point.”According to Restivo, it’s estimated PAAR will be able to use reserve funds through December. She encouraged people to reach out to their state leaders to get a budget passed. Donations are accepted here.

PITTSBURGH —

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape is continuing to serve victims in Allegheny County, despite funding challenges amid the ongoing budget impasse.

“Serving victims is our mission, regardless of what the state legislature is doing. And quite frankly, right now, they’re not doing their job, but we are going to continue to do ours,” said PAAR Executive Director Sadie Restivo.

As the sole rape crisis center in Allegheny County, Restivo said PAAR serves about 2,500 victims yearly. Roughly a quarter are children.

“We respond to all area emergency departments when a victim goes into the hospital. We also run a 24-hour, 365-day help line, and we do trauma processing therapy,” Restivo said. “And we have an entire education department for prevention and education.”

Those services are made possible due in part to state funding. According to Restivo, money from the commonwealth makes up 20% of the organization’s budget.

However, since Pennsylvania hasn’t had a state budget in more than 100 days, PAAR is down on critical funds.

“As of July, we have not received any payment from the state, which is putting a huge financial strain on our resources, on our ability to continue to provide services to victims,” Restivo told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.

The executive director said they had to cut two positions as a result. They’ve also implemented a spending freeze where purchases are limited to essential items only.

“This looks like for us, having to ask some of our very valued vendors and companies to please hold on their invoices or asking for forgiveness for late payment, which is not something anyone wants to do,” Restivo said.

A total of $12 million from the state is divided between Pennsylvania’s 47 rape crisis centers annually, according to Restivo. She said they haven’t seen an increase in five years.

Despite the hardships, Restivo said the organization is committed to being available for every victim in need of their help.

“The inefficiency and the lack of having a budget in Harrisburg is simply on the backs of survivors, and they’ve already been through enough,” Restivo said. “Surviving is half of the battle, and they’ve already done that. And to put this on their back is just something that is incomprehensible at this point.”

According to Restivo, it’s estimated PAAR will be able to use reserve funds through December.

She encouraged people to reach out to their state leaders to get a budget passed. Donations are accepted here.