Critical Gaps Remain for Survivor Services despite the budget passage
How we continue to respond and what we all can do next
View the news report and read the full article here:
After the Budget: The Reality on the Ground
Even though the YWCA Lancaster is celebrating the passage of Pennsylvania’s state budget, the organization, and others across the commonwealth, are sounding an urgent alarm: the need for survivor services is still extremely high, and the resources remain dangerously strained.
For months, many rape-crisis and sexual‐assault support centers operated in limbo due to state funding delays. Even now, with a budget in place, the long-term funding, staffing, and support needed to meet today’s demand aren’t yet fully stabilized.
Why the Need Is Still So Great
At YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention & Counseling Center (SAPCC), Lancaster County’s designated rape crisis center, trained staff and volunteer advocates provide no-cost counseling, 24/7 hotline support, medical and legal advocacy, and prevention/education programs.
That kind of comprehensive support is exactly what survivors need, but it also means high overhead, intensive training, and that every missed dollar translates to fewer hours, fewer advocates, or fewer outreach programs.
Some of the key state-wide pressures include:
A backlog of requests from survivors for immediate help (crisis intervention, advocacy)
Growing need for prevention education in schools and community organizations
Volunteer training and retention costs for 24-hour hotline coverage
The ripple effects of staffing shortages and delayed funding on service delivery
Looking Out for Our Community
A budget passage is a win, but it is not the end of the story. The real work happens when that budget translates into stable, accessible, high-quality support for survivors in every county of Pennsylvania.
If you believe that no one should face sexual violence alone, now is the time to act. Whether by raising your voice, supporting local organizations, or pushing for effective funding, your involvement matters.