Open Bid RFP Webinar Handouts

To view RFP Webinar PDF click here

To view RFP Q & A  click here
 

Agencies wishing to apply for the open bid contract to provide sexual assault services in their community can do so by clicking here. Using your computer’s mouse, right click on the folder marked application, copy the folder by using the mouse’s left click button, and paste the entire folder to your desktop. Paper copies are available upon request. Agencies wishing to apply will have until Friday, February 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm EST to submit an application.

Agencies currently receiving funding will be provided with a hard copy of the board-approved allocation formula for the upcoming fiscal year. This rider will be sent to each agency within the next week. Agencies not currently receiving funding should contact Lynn Carson at 1-800-692-7445 Ex. 118 to have a copy of their rider sent to them.

Applicants wishing to submit an application need to participate in one upcoming instructional webinar.

To register for the January 17^th Webinar click here
To register for the January 18^th Webinar click here
  
 
 

PCAR PSU Press Conference 

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape hold collection to support services for victims of child sexual abuse at Penn State football game

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania will sponsor a collection drive to support the delivery of services to victims of child sexual assault across Pennsylvania and the HERO project Saturday at Beaver Stadium in State College.  READ MORE

Former Penn State coach faces child sexual abuse charges

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly spoke November 7 at the Harrisburg Capitol Building regarding allegations against former coach at Penn State, Jerry Sandusky.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly and Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan conducted a news conference in Harrisburg Nov. 7 to discuss the Jerry Sandusky child sex crimes investigation. Sandusky was an assistant coach at Penn State University for 37 years and founded Second Mile, a non-profit to help troubled youth. He retired in 2000. He retired in 2000. Listen here (PODCAST) to highlights from the press conference.

PCAR offers support to Penn State University Board of Trustees (LEARN MORE)

Pennsylvania is the only state in the U.S. that does not allow experts to testify in sex abuse cases. House Bill 1264 would allow experts to address questions about victim behavior in sex assault cases, including why a person abused in childhood might wait for decades to report the assaults.

This bill has already passed in the State House in Pennsylvania by a 197-0 margin. But since last June 2011, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Stewart Greenleaf, has not done a thing about it, telling the Philadelphia Weekly that he has concerns about it. (15 Dec 2011 'PA's Backward Expert-Witness Law Creates Advantage for Jerry Sandusky' by Tara Murtha)

Chillingly, as the trial for Sandusly approaches, the Wall Street Journal reports, "In Pennsylvania legal circles Mr. Amendola is known for attacking the credibility of alleged victims, especially those in sexual-assault cases." (16 Dec 2011 'Sandusky's Lawyer Defends Himself' by John W. Miller and Jennifer Smith)

With Sandusky's lawyer getting ready to attack the credibility of the alleged victims it is time for Sen. Greenleaf to stop stalling and pass 1264.

"If victims finally get the courage to come forward and report the abuse, they should not be further victimized by having the very normal behaviors and reactions of a sex assault victim looked upon as abnormal by a court or jury who simply isn't educated in these things."

-Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Philadelphia, co-sponsor of House Bill 1264

2 PA Bills Need Your Urgent Action!

Senate Bill 58 – The Sexual Violence Protection Act
SB 58, sponsored by Senator Stewart Greenleaf, would allow victims of sexual assault to seek a civil protection order following an assault.  The bill was passed by the Senate and is now awaiting movement by the House Judiciary Committee.  Please contact Representative Ron Marsico, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, at 717-783-2014 and urge him to vote this bill out of committee. 

A few points to highlight when you call:

• The majority of sexual assaults are committed by perpetrators known to victims.  Traumatized and fearful of repeated assaults, many victims of sexual violence need orders of protection to help keep them safe from perpetrators.
• Many sexual violence victims are not eligible for current protection orders because their assailants are not spouses, relatives and/or intimate partners.  Victims assaulted by a stranger, acquaintance, friend, classmate, colleague or neighbor are left vulnerable by existing law without the legal protections they deserve and need.
• Current Pennsylvania law only allows protection orders for sexual violence victims if a criminal case has been initiated against the perpetrator, but not every assault results in prosecution.
• There is NO fiscal impact of the legislation.

LEARN MORE
 

House Bill 1264 – Expert Testimony in Sexual Assault Cases
HB 1264, the Expert Testimony bill, is currently being held by the Senate Judiciary Committee.  You are all aware of how important this legislation is, so please to contact Senator Stewart Greenleaf, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and ask him to move this bill to the Senate floor for a vote!  Please call his Harrisburg office at (717) 787-6599 and urge him to move this bill. A few talking points to mention:

• Pennsylvania is the only state that specifically prohibits expert testimony on victim behavior in criminal cases.
• Misconceptions about victim behavior and reactions to a sexual assault lead to a bias that prosecutors cannot overcome.  Expert witnesses can testify to varied behaviors of victims after an assault and provide juries will factual information about victim responses to sexual assault.
• There is no fiscal implication or impact as a result of this legislation.
• The bill is supported by Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and Pennsylvania Office of the Victim Advocate

LEARN MORE

Pennsylvania is the only state in the U.S. that does not allow experts to testify in sex abuse cases. House Bill 1264 would allow experts to address questions about victim behavior in sex assault cases, including why a person abused in childhood might wait for decades to report the assaults.This bill has already passed in the State House in Pennsylvania by a 197-0 margin. But since last June 2011, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Stewart Greenleaf, has not done a thing about it, telling the Philadelphia Weekly that he has concerns about it. (15 Dec 2011 'PA's Backward Expert-Witness Law Creates Advantage for Jerry Sandusky' by Tara Murtha)Chillingly, as the trial for Sandusly approaches, the Wall Street Journal reports, "In Pennsylvania legal circles Mr. Amendola is known for attacking the credibility of alleged victims, especially those in sexual-assault cases." (16 Dec 2011 'Sandusky's Lawyer Defends Himself' by John W. Miller and Jennifer Smith)With Sandusky's lawyer getting ready to attack the credibility of the alleged victims it is time for Sen. Greenleaf to stop stalling and pass 1264."If victims finally get the courage to come forward and report the abuse, they should not be further victimized by having the very normal behaviors and reactions of a sex assault victim looked upon as abnormal by a court or jury who simply isn't educated in these things."-Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Philadelphia, co-sponsor of House Bill 1264