DC Rape Crisis Center

Working to End Sexual Violence: Our Mission

The DC Rape Crisis Center is dedicated to creating a world free of sexual violence. The Center works for social change through community outreach, education, and legal and public policy initiatives. It helps survivors and their families heal from the aftermath of sexual violence through crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy.

Committed to the belief that all forms of oppression are linked, the Center values accessibility, cultural diversity and the empowerment of women and children.

 

Counseling, Education, Advocacy: What We Do

DC Rape Crisis Center was established as one of the first rape crisis centers in the nation.  For nearly 40 years, we have served as a model for many rape crisis organizations throughout the country, supported thousands of survivors, and touched thousands more adults, teens, and children through our community outreach programs. 

The Center provides a range of direct services and educational programs that annually reach more than 13,000 people throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region. Our services, which are provided free of charge to all of our clients, are best described in three distinct program areas:

Counseling and Crisis Intervention – compassionate guidance and support services for women, children and men who are survivors of sexual violence – a 24-hour crisis hotline; individual, group and family counseling; Somatic (mind/body) Therapy; in-hospital assistance through the medical forensic collection exam; and The Lighthouse: Center for Healing  (the Center manages operations for this city-wide victim services center).

Education and Outreach – programs and service focus on providing education and information to increase awareness and reduce the risk of sexual violence among children, teens and adults – in-school presentations for elementary school students and faculty; Sister Action Sister Strength Clubs for teenage girls; an annual Teen Dating Violence Conference; trainings for professionals; and general community education. 

Field Development and Advocacy – activities include an ongoing collaborative project to improve services for women with developmental disabilities; participation on the criminal justice system’s Sexual Assault Response Team; and local and national advocacy for continued government funding of victim services and for the expansion of victims’ rights.

Because all of our services are provided at no charge to survivors, we rely on donations and grants to sustain our services.  Please consider a donation today - every dollar helps!  You can also donate through the United Way (#8424), Combined Federal Campaign (#70423) or your workplace giving campaign.

Visit us as www.dcrcc.org for more information and resources.

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