State must support rape crisis centers

The State of Illinois needs rape crisis services.

Rape victims and the communities they live in need 24-hour hotlines.

They need medical advocacy, criminal justice advocacy and ongoing counseling to help adult and child victims of sexual violence.

And they need prevention programs to teach boys not to rape.

The services make a difference. They help victims navigate the process of investigation and prosecution and ultimately, healing. They help keep communities safe.

Rape crisis centers were very pleased that the governor affirmed the importance of these services and removed the proposed funding cuts.

We applaud him for his decision and his support of rape crisis services in towns and cities throughout Illinois.

However, rape crisis centers are still facing a shortage as federal funds were cut $1.6 million in the past few months.

We need solutions, not rhetoric, to this funding crisis. Legislative leaders and the governor must work together to generate revenue proposals that will truly work.

In the past year, rape crisis centers in communities across the state have counseled nearly 10,000 survivors of sexual violence and responded to another 10,000 on the confidential, 24-hour hotlines. Centers also provided prevention programs to more than 440,000 youth.

If our state government does not find a way to increase revenue, rape survivors and our communities pay the price. It is not in the best interest of Illinois for that to happen.

We urge the governor and legislative leaders to do the right thing instead of putting rape crisis services and other human services on the firing line in this budget battle.

Make the hard decisions and raise revenue. Ongoing revenue. Money we can count on to keep the doors open.

Polly Poskin

Executive Director

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Springfield