With the recent disturbing headlines of sexual abuse at Penn State and on other campuses, you may wonder what you can do about sexual violence. You can make an immediate and meaningful difference today by supporting Rape Victim Advocates (RVA), Chicago’s only independent rape crisis center. Every single day, RVA is here working with victims of all ages, providing comprehensive and compassionate services while also working to end sexual violence.

There is still so much work to be done and the increased demand for our services is another indication of this fact. In 2011, to date, the number of crisis calls in emergency rooms that our staff and volunteers responded to has increased by 22% and the hours of counseling we provided has increased by18%. Whether we’re responding to a 2 am crisis call in an ER or leading a 2 pm counseling session, RVA is here, offering free services that are tailored to the individual needs of each survivor.

A gift from you today will help ensure that RVA meets this increased demand for our high-quality, effective crisis intervention, legal and medical advocacy and counseling services. Your generosity will make a tangible difference in RVA’s capacity to be here for any survivor in need, and to work with communities to empower them with the education and awareness.

Here are a few words from one survivor who can best share RVA’s impact:

“I doubt I would have survived without RVA…RVA helped me put myself back together. They helped me realize that I could put myself back together, and that though it’s not always easy, it’s worth it. I owe my life to [RVA], literally.”

Rape Victim Advocates is here—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—for survivors, ensuring that they are believed and supported and that their rights are protected. Please partner with us in our efforts to be here for survivors throughout their journey of healing and to prevent sexual violence from occurring in the first place.

Sincerely,

Sharmili Majmudar

Executive Director