Champion Voting in Your Community
I don’t vote, it doesn’t matter. I’m a college student so I don’t live here. Who has the time with everything else going on in
September 14, 2020
At Orange County Rape Crisis Center, compassion is fundamental to our mission. This election cycle has been difficult for so many who’ve suffered under the harmful and compassion-less policies of the current administration- this includes survivors.
Now that the campaigning is over, the OCRCC is hopeful that President Elect Biden will lead by example with compassion. There seems to be an understanding with President Elect Biden that many of the policies of the last four years have been harmful to people who need healthcare, marginalized communities, particularly people of color, and the LGBTQ community.
We expect that we won’t always agree with our President or our legislators. However, we feel hopeful about a future in which our disagreements can be aired in an atmosphere where facts matter, and where compassion isn’t ridiculed. And hey, maybe we can pass a budget that includes support for survivors.
While the results of the election matter in very real ways, the election season itself has been traumatic. The strength of white supremacist rage in our country has actually been quantified, made graphic, and displayed on nearly every screen on a 24-hour cycle for days on end. Countless people have had to walk through the grief and disappointment of someone they love voting against their humanity. And survivors were asked- yet-again- to choose between two men who’ve been accused of sexual harm. No matter your political affiliation, this election has provided you with a thousand impossible choices. Deep breath. We’ve been here with you, and we will continue to be.
We will continue to work hard so that survivors have the support they deserve, and communities have the tools they need for help, hope and healing.
At Orange County Rape Crisis Center we envision a world free of all forms of oppression. This includes the murder, harassment, neglect, abuse, and degradation of Black people.
We mourn the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, David McAtee, and the countless other Black people whose lives have been lost to racist violence in all its forms this week, last week, and over the course of the last 400 years. We bear witness to the grief, rage, and weariness of Black communities across the nation.
We stand in self-reckoning with the ways that our movement to end rape has been complicit in the criminalization of Black communities. We stand committed to the urgent and complex work of dismantling racism from within ourselves, our organization, and our community. We stand in support of Black-led organizations fighting to affirm Black life and end structural racism.
We know many of our Black community members are seeking the space and time to heal and that many of our white supporters are looking for ways to help. In the next several weeks, we will be sharing resources to support this critical work. But for now, we simply wish to express empathy for the suffering of Black people and solidarity with everyone fighting to affirm Black lives and end racism.
It’s been a month now since our local schools sent students home to await the inevitable “stay at home” order from our state government. Like you, we’ve been taking it day-by-day at the OCRCC, doing our best to plan for a future we can’t quite envision while keeping our spirits up amidst the worry, fear, and grief. Click here to read more.
In addition to our 24-Hour Phone Helpline, we also offer 24-Hour Text and Online Chat Helplines! This confidential resource is available for survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones to speak with a trained advocate over mobile text or online chat on our website. Anyone can access our Text Helpline by texting (919) 504-5211. Access our Online Chat Helpline by clicking here or clicking the chat button at the bottom right side of each page on our website.
Served 816 survivors, providing support to survivors and their loved ones as well as offering resources for professionals and community members.
Provided 70 clients with short-term, trauma-focused therapy in both English and Spanish to primary and secondary survivors of sexual violence. 100% of clients in the therapy program self-reported a decrease in trauma symptom severity.
Offered 18 support groups and workshops, some in English and some in Spanish. Nearly 100 percent of participants reported that our groups helped them feel less alone in their experience and more supported in their healing process.
Provided Community Education programs to 15,064 youth and adults. In addition to Safe Touch and Start Strong programs in local K-12 schools, the CE team worked more closely than ever with Client Services staff to deliver community-wide education opportunities, bringing customized programs to faith communities, neighborhoods, and families across the county.
I don’t vote, it doesn’t matter. I’m a college student so I don’t live here. Who has the time with everything else going on in
It’s been a month now since our local schools sent students home to await the inevitable “stay at home” order from our state government. Like
By Sol Pederson, Youth Education Program Manager In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, many children and adults are experiencing heightened anxiety and concerns about
Office Address:
1506 East Franklin St.
Suite 200
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 4722
Chapel Hill, NC 27515
Office Phone:
(919) 968-4647
