PA Centered

Surprise! PCAR is starting a new series of mini-episodes called History You Should Know. Over the next few months, this series will celebrate and highlight the stories of the people and events that advanced the anti-sexual violence movement. This introduction to the series explores the complicated history of how stories from our movement are told.

To access the History and Philosophy course, sign in or create a free account at campus.nsvrc.org. 

For more information about Black History Month, check out these resources:

• Overview of Black History Month

 Visit www.pcar.org/podcasts for show notes and transcripts. 

This episode we are joined by Damary Rodriguez, Language Access Coordinator at PCAR, to learn about the connection between anti-Blackness and sexual violence. Dismantling anti-Blackness in our ourselves, our workplaces, and our communities is a key part of preventing sexual violence, providing services that are culturally humble for survivors, and supporting Black staff within our own organizations.

 Visit www.pcar.org/podcasts for show notes and transcripts. 

Executive Director of Pennsylvania's Office of Advocacy and Reform Dan Jurman and Victim Services Inc. Clinical Director Erika Brosig join us on this episode to share the Commonwealth’s plans to help service providers use a trauma-informed and healing-centered approach. We learn more about what it means to be trauma-informed and how the plan can have an impact on the care survivors of trauma receive.

• To learn more about the Trauma-Informed PA Plan and to see a list of the Think Tank Members visit the Office of Advocacy and Reform Website.

Check out the Pennsylvania Trauma-Informed Network for more resources and to get involved in your local community

 Visit www.pcar.org/podcasts for show notes and transcripts. 

This episode we are joined by Cathy Palm, Founder of The Center for Children’s Justice, to learn how we can help keep kids safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

• To learn more about The Center for Children’s Justice, visit c4cj.org.

ChildLine provides information, counseling, and referral services for families and children to ensure the safety and well-being of the children of Pennsylvania. The toll-free intake line, 1-800-932-0313, is available 24 hours/7 days a week to receive reports of suspected child abuse.

This year we’ve had to navigate boundaries in new ways. During this episode, we explore the importance of setting and respecting boundaries, and provide tips on how to have these sometimes difficult conversations with one another.

For more information about boundaries, visit SafeSecureKids.org, including this guide for talking to the children in your life about consent. For more information about grief and loss, visit HighmarkCaringPlace.com.

 Visit www.pcar.org/podcasts for show notes and transcripts. 

This episode we are joined by Tammi Burke, an expert who has worked with male survivors of sexual violence for over 30 years. Tammi shares stories and lessons learned to help rape crisis center staff better serve male survivors in their communities.

To learn more about working with men and boys who are survivors of abuse, visit:

• Male Survivor

 Visit www.pcar.org/podcasts for show notes and transcripts. 

Forensic Nurses Week this year is from November 9 - 13. The Penn State Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Telehealth (SAFE-T) Center, works to enhance care for sexual assault victims in underserved communities. Join us as we hear from a group of folks involved with the SAFE-T Center Program and how it has impacted advocates, nurses, survivors, and their communities.

You can learn more about the SAFE-T Center at safetcenter.psu.edu. If you are interested in having SAFE-T in your community, you can contact Sheridan Miyamoto and the team at the SAFE-T Center at [email protected]. To learn more about PASSAGES, visit passages-inc.org or contact Marlene Austin at [email protected]. To get in touch with Jessica Birbeck, you can email her at [email protected].

 Visit www.pcar.org/podcasts for show notes and transcripts. 

In this episode, we are joined by Staff Attorneys from PCAR’s Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project (SVLAP) to learn about housing rights and the impact of discrimination on survivors of sexual violence. We use scenarios to understand common examples of discrimination, and learn how to file a complaint in Pennsylvania. 

To learn more about housing discrimination and to file a complaint, visit:

• Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Housing Discrimination Forms and Questionnaire

Join PCAR staff to learn about language access and the importance of having a language access plan for your organization. We share how PCAR has approached language access, some of the barriers we’ve faced, and what we’ve learned along the way.

For additional resources to create or improve your language access plan, visit:

• LEP Toolkit from Casa de Esperanza and template

• Critical Conversations to Improving Language Access

In this episode of PA Centered, we talk with one of the leading experts on human trafficking, Transitions of PA Education Specialist Heather Shnyder. Heather helps us learn more about what trafficking looks like in the Commonwealth, who is involved and what we can do to help.

If you suspect a child or an adult who is in immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. For children, follow up with a ChildLine report by calling 1-800-932-0313. You can also call Transitions of PA at 1-800-850-7948 for assistance. 

To learn more about human trafficking and how you can help, visit:

• Polaris

 Visit www.pcar.org/podcasts for show notes and transcripts.