Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month! This annual campaign strives to raise community awareness about sexual violence and to educate on means of prevention as well as ways to support victim/survivors. YWCA Lancaster is proud to partner with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) to provide resources and ways to get involved throughout the month of April and year-round!

YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center (SAPCC) is Lancaster County’s designated rape crisis center per the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR).

SAPCC provides therapy, counseling, support groups, resources for trafficking victims, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, and a 24-hour rape crisis hotline at no cost for victim survivors, significant others, and community members.

Services also include prevention and education workshops and series that address cultural norms that contribute to sexual abuse, harassment, and assault.

Ways to Get Involved

Donate & Raise Awareness

Ways to donate and raise awareness for SAAM!

Clothing and Comfort Drive

YWCA Lancaster is accepting monetary donations and NEW clothing or comfort items to support victim survivors of sexual abuse receiving medical care at local hospitals.

Pick up a Hotline yard sign for your workplace or business

Want to support survivors and raise awareness about our Sexual Assault Hotline? Place a free sign at your business, organization, or residence! These can be picked up at the front desk of YWCA Lancaster, 110 N. Lime St.

Support Locally

Ways to contribute locally

Rachel’s Creperie Fundraiser (April 7)

On April 7, a portion of each check at Rachel’s Creperie at both locations will be donated to our Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center, continuing a long-standing tradition. Thank you to Rachel’s for their support throughout the years!

Square One Fundraiser (April 15 & 16)

On April 15 & 16, a portion of each check at Square One Coffee in will be donated to our Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center. Thank you to Square One for supporting SAPCC!

Dosie Dough Fundraiser (April 19) 

On March 19th Dosie Dough in Lititz will hold a community cup from 8am-10am where all drip coffee proceeds are donated to SAPCC. They will also distribute our coffee sleeves and hotline cards throughout the month. We are excited to partner with Dosie Dough this month! Thank you for your support!

 

Front Porch Baking Co. (Throughout April)

For the whole month, Front Porch Baking Co. will have our hotline coffee sleeves available. Thank you to Front Porch Baking Co. for partnering with us! 

Gather

Gather throughout the month to learn together

Write It Away: Healing through poetry.

April 12th, 19th, 26th, and May 3rd, 6pm-7:30pm

Join YWCA Lancaster as we explore poetry writing in our Write It Away series with Black Artist Waystation participant Thunda Khatt. All are welcome to attend this safe, healing, and creative space at YWCA Lancaster.

Please register in advance for one of our sessions. Register Here.

 

Personal Safety Book Readings

Join YWCA Lancaster all month long for a kids reading series focused on safety, consent, and healing!

Where Hands Go, April 10th – Virtual Storytime streamed on YWCA Lancaster’s Facebook at 7pm
Giraffe Asks for Help, April 21st – In-person at Aaron’s Books at 4pm
I Am Okay to Feel, April 27th – In-person at Read Rose Books at 6pm

 

Guest readers include:

Where Hands Go, April 10th – Tearsa Brown and Yoangelys Cedeno, guest readers.

 

Giraffe Asks for Help, April 21st – Kayla Stover, guest reader.

 

Kayla Stover has transformed traumatic experiences of her young life into power: She is a passionate voice, promoting awareness and inspiring hope and healing for other victims of child sexual abuse. A Lancaster native and frequent public speaker, Kayla shares her difficult story with a message of positivity, confidence, and empowerment – much-needed qualities for those who have experienced the trauma of child sexual abuse.

 

I Am Okay to Feel, April 27th – Starleisha Gingrich, guest reader.

Starleisha Gingrich (she/her) is the Communications & Community Outreach Specialist for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center. With expertise in storytelling, performing and writing, she is excited to help bring awareness to the Lancaster community about the services SAPCC provides. When she’s not working, Starleisha enjoys listening to audiobooks, seeing shows, watching bad reality television, and spending time with her cats.

 

Please register to receive your copy of the book for the virtual reading! Books will be available at Aaron’s Books and Read Rose books for the live readings.

Personal Safety Storytime Series

  • Pick up your books and materials:

    Book pick-up will be at the YWCA Lancaster anytime from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday
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Heal

Intentional space created for community building and healing

Adult Survivor Gathering

On the first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault. Join us for a special Sexual Assault Awareness Month Adult Survivor Gathering on Monday, April 3rd, 7-8pm.

This gathering is intended to provide survivors with a safe space to connect with peers who have shared experiences.

Spread the word

Clothing and Comfort Drive

Personal Safety Storytime Series

Month Long Events

Annual Clothing & Comfort Drive

YWCA Lancaster, 110 North Lime Street

Monday through Friday, April 1 – 30, 2023

We are accepting monetary donations and NEW clothing or comfort items to support victim survivors of sexual abuse receiving medical care at local hospitals.

Sexual assault is a crime. As a result, clothing and undergarments of victim survivors may be collected for evidence at the time of a SAFE exam. Many hospitals provide donated clothing to patients in order to replace the clothing collected for evidential purposes. With hundreds of victim/survivors seeking medical care, there is a huge need for donated garments.  Items needed include: undergarments, sweatshirts, T-shirts, yoga pants, sweatpants for persons of all genders and ages, as well as comfort items such as small stuffed animals, fidget toys, coloring books, and stress toys. Drop off M-F at YWCA Lancaster front desk, 110 N. Lime Street. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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