There are moments in a survivor’s life that never truly leave them.
For some, it is the moment they decide whether to tell someone what happened. For others, it is sitting in an emergency department after a sexual assault, wondering what comes next. Sometimes it is years later, standing in a courtroom only feet away from the person who caused unthinkable harm. Sometimes it is lying awake at 2 a.m., decades after the assault, when a memory resurfaces and the weight of the trauma feels as heavy as it did the day it happened.
As a survivor of sexual violence, I can attest that healing is not linear. It does not happen on a schedule. And no survivor should have to navigate that journey alone.
Pennsylvania’s historic $12 million funding increase for rape crisis centers — a decision that doubles state funding — is profoundly meaningful.
For many, this investment may look like a line item in a state budget. But for survivors, it represents something much more powerful: the reassurance that when they reach out for help, someone will be there to answer.
Trauma-informed advocates are often the first people survivors trust. They explain options without pressure or judgment. They help survivors understand what it means to report to law enforcement or to choose not to. They sit beside survivors during forensic medical exams, helping them regain a sense of control during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
They answer phone calls in the middle of the night when panic attacks make sleep impossible. They help survivors understand complicated legal processes. They stand with them as they prepare victim impact statements and remain by their side in court,
sometimes only 10 feet away from the person who assaulted
them
. That kind of support cannot be measured in statistics. It is measured in courage.
Many survivors never disclose their assault to family members or friends. Some fear they won’t be believed; others worry they will be blamed, judged or viewed differently forever. For those individuals, an advocate may become the only person carrying their story alongside them. That relationship can mean the difference between isolation and hope.
Trauma also does not stay confined to the day violence occurred. It follows survivors into relationships. Into parenting. Into classrooms. Into workplaces. It can affect trust, confidence, concentration, physical health and careers. Sometimes survivors seek counseling immediately. Others are not ready until years or decades later. Healing belongs to the survivor, and access to services should be available whenever that healing begins.
This funding recognizes that reality.
It also acknowledges something we heard over and over again during the <a href="https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/shapiro-admin–launches-survey–listening-tour-to-hear-directly-” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women’s statewide State of the Woman ListeningTour. Across rural, suburban and urban Pennsylvania, women consistently raised concerns about sexual violence and domestic violence. Some shared raw, personal experiences. Others spoke about what they were witnessing in their communities. One message was unmistakable: Survivors need support and prevention must become a greater priority.
Communities asked for education that starts before violence occurs. They want young people to learn about healthy relationships, consent, boundaries and bystander intervention. They want resources that are accessible and visible.
This investment makes that possible.
For too long, many rape crisis centers were forced to eliminate prevention staff because funding simply wasn’tthere. This increase allows centers to rebuild those positions, expand outreach, strengthen education efforts and meet Pennsylvanians where they are with information, support and hope before a crisis occurs.
I am proud Gov. Josh Shapiro listened to survivors, advocates and service providers and acted.
In a time when compromise can seem increasingly rare, the governor and members of the General Assembly, from both sides of the aisle, came together to make an investment that will change lives for generations.
As a survivor, this moment means more than I can fully express.
It tells every person who has ever wondered if anyone would believe them or stand beside them that Pennsylvania is choosing to show up.
No budget can erase what happened to victims/survivors. But it can ensure that no one has to face the aftermath alone. And sometimes, having someone to call is where healing finally begins.
Ashley Walkowak is executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women.
About the Writer
News Spotlight
- Pirates farm report for Aug. 8, 2026: Titus Dumitru belts 2 doubles, homer in Altoona lossTribLive
- Dodgers leave Freddie Freeman in Los Angeles to rest a sore right ankle ahead of the playoffsKDKA
- Pittsburgh, We Need to Talk About Your Basement Before You MoveDiversity Moving Company
Partner News - Bubba Chandler delivers quality start as Pirates shut out Mets to snap 4-game losing streakTribLive
- Beau Hossler, Michael Brennan share Wyndham Championship leadAP
- 401(k) Reallocation and the Importance of Reviewing Your PortfolioRiverside Financial Advisors LLC
Partner News
- One on an Inherited Property: What to Do Next and How to DecideBuys Houses
Partner News - Watchdog for $46 billion tribal gambling industry can’t enforce the law without a chairpersonAP
- Simple Ways to Move On From a Property You No Longer WantBuys Houses – We Buys Houses in Pittsburgh
Partner News - What Is a Day Spa Treatment? A Practical Guide to What to ExpectESSpa Kozmetika Organic Day Spa and Skincare Salon
Partner News
Push Notifications
Get news alerts first, right in your browser.
