News

SARCC Expands Services To The Latino Community.

9/29/2008

Lebanon, PA. – The Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Lebanon (SARCC) with Deputy Secretary Sara Manzano-Diaz from the Pennsylvania Department of State, unveiled today a bilingual hotline/support line for Latino victims of sexual violence in Lebanon County.

The Latino hotline/support line is a culmination of ten years of collective work by SARCC board members, staff, volunteers and funders to develop SARCC into a culturally competent agency that will address the needs of the growing Latino community in Lebanon.

"Despite our efforts to reach this community SARCC's statistics over the past three years indicated that approximately 50% of our services were provided in the Lebanon City School District, yet Latinos represented only 10% of our client population." said Jenny Murphy-Shifflet, Executive Director of SARCC. "As an agency whose mission it is to end sexual violence, we needed to develop a marketing and outreach program that would be inclusive and address the barriers of this population."

"Addressing the barriers of this community is essential for success." said Brunilda Martinez, SARCC Latino Outreach Worker and Director of El Centro de la Asociacin Latino Americana de Lebanon (CALAL). "Language is an important element in establishing safety and trust in our community. A Latino victim of sexual violence needs to know that he or she will be understood and respected."

Lucy Flecha, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator and SARCC Advisory Board Member indicated that "Many Latinos suffer sexual violence and ongoing harassment by friends and family members who take advantage of the culture of silence." "SARCC has committed its resources and advocates to supporting our community and I am proud to be part of this project."

The bilingual hotline will be operating October 1st and will be staffed by ten certified sexual assault counselors who are bilingual. The next bilingual Volunteer sexual assault counselor training is scheduled for October 20th.

If you are in need of help or would like to Volunteer please contact the hotline/support line at 717-272-5308.

Teens Speak Out Against Sexual Violence!

Teens in Lebanon County can now join Rallying Youth Organizers Together (RYOT)! This group is for teens (12 to 18 years) who are interested in speaking out against sexual violence in our community and making a difference that matters. Email info@sarcclebanon.com or go http://www.teenpcar.com/ryot.asp for an online application.

The mission of RYOT is "to train ourselves to be able to reach out to all victims as well as to educate the public to end sexual violence in its entirety." This mission statement sets the tone for the important work that teens can do - educating peers on the realities of sexual violence.

RYOT members are high school teens from across Pennsylvania who meet regularly at the state and local level to create projects by teens for teens. Individual members are supported in their efforts by local rape crisis centers and are highly encouraged to take part in statewide activities.